Method for diagnosing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using signal peptide as indicator

ABSTRACT

The method for aiding ALS detection provided by the present invention includes determining a profile of signal peptides contained in a bodily fluid from a test subject, and comparing the signal peptide profile thus determined for the test subject with a previously-determined profile of signal peptides in a bodily fluid from a healthy subject. The presence of a difference between the signal peptide profile of the test subject and the signal peptide profile of the healthy subject at a specific molecular weight is then associated with the test subject&#39;s suffering from or developing ALS.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Phase under 35 USC 371 of International Application No. PCT/JP2017/008332 filed on Mar. 2, 2017, which claims priority to Japanese Application No. 2016-041054 filed on Mar. 3, 2016, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using a signal peptide as an indicator.

The priority claim for this application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-041054 filed on Mar. 3, 2016, and the entire contents of that Japanese application are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND ART

Neurodegenerative diseases are diseases involving impairment of specific nerves, and are characterized by symptoms of reduced cognitive function, ataxia, and involuntary movement. Such neurodegenerative diseases include Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and the like.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (hereunder also called ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease involving selective impairment of motor nerves (upper motor nerves, lower motor nerves). Typically, systemic muscle atrophy and muscle weakness (that is, impaired motor function) occur. The principal clinical symptoms ofALS include spasms, tendon hyperreflexia, fasciculation, gait disturbance, language disorder (articulation disorder), swallowing disorder, respiratory disorder and the like.

ALS is generally diagnosed based on the presence or absence and rate of progress of such clinical symptoms of ALS, and by excluding other diseases that impair motor function and the like. For example, it is diagnosed by an appropriate combination of nerve conduction testing, electromyography, muscle biopsy, neuroimaging (CT, MRI or the like), blood testing, spinal fluid testing and the like.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent No. 5069804

Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent No. 5422785

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

However, early ALS and atypical ALS may be difficult to distinguish from other diseases involving impaired motor function. Moreover, because ALS is a rare disease, some physicians (typically family doctors) may have little experience with diagnosing (or treating) ALS patients, and may be unaccustomed to diagnosis. For these reasons, a highly accurate diagnosis of ALS may be difficult even when ALS diagnosis is attempted based on a combination of multiple tests as described above. Even specialists run the risk of overlooking ALS or misdiagnosing another disease as ALS.

When ALS is overlooked (diagnosed as another disease), not only is treatment for ALS delayed, but unnecessary treatment (such as surgery, medication or the like) may be performed. When another disease (typically, another disease involving impaired motor function) is misdiagnosed as ALS, moreover, the opportunity to treat the original disease appropriately may be lost.

Furthermore, the aforementioned neuroimaging (CT or MRI for example) requires specialized and expensive medical equipment, and can only be performed at a limited number of medical facilities. Judging the results of such imaging is also an advanced skill. And because there are also few specialists (or medical facilities) familiar with ALS diagnosis (or treatment), visiting such a medical facility in order to check for ALS represents a serious burden for the patient (suspected ALS sufferer).

Because ALS is difficult to diagnose, moreover, a long time may elapse between the original recognition of symptoms by the patient (suspected ALS sufferer) or the initial diagnosis and the definite ALS diagnosis. Consequently, in some cases it is difficult to initiate early treatment (care) for ALS.

Under these circumstances, there has been demand in recent years for the identification and use of biomarkers that can provide useful information for ALS diagnosis. The specificity and sensitivity of diagnosis can be expected to improve when ALS is diagnosed with such biomarkers. It is also expected that by diagnosing ALS with such biomarkers, it will be possible to shorten the time required for ALS diagnosis.

For example, Patent Literature 1 describes a method using a urinary metabolite (tPGDM) of prostaglandin D2 as an ALS biomarker. Although there has been much research of this kind into the identification and use of biomarkers useful for ALS diagnosis, however, none has yet been incorporated into routine clinical testing due to problems of accuracy, reliability and the like.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new method that can aid in the detection of ALS, as well as a biomarker for use in this method. It is another object to provide an ALS testing composition and ALS testing kit for use in this method for aiding detection of ALS.

Solution to Problem

Focusing on signal peptides in a bodily fluid, the inventors carried out intensive studies on the signal peptides present in the bodily fluid with the aim of establishing methods of diagnosing ALS using such signal peptides as indicators. As a result, we discovered differences in the presence and absence and abundance of specific signal peptides between the bodily fluids of ALS patients and the bodily fluids of healthy subjects. We then perfected the present invention after finding that useful data for diagnosing ALS could be obtained by using these specific signal peptides as indicators.

First, the inventors discovered that the profiles of signal peptides in the bodily fluids of ALS patients differed from the profiles of signal peptides in the bodily fluids of healthy subjects. Therefore, the first embodiment of the present invention provides a method for aiding ALS detection, the method including determining a profile of signal peptides in the molecular weight range of 1000 to 3500 from signal peptides contained in a bodily fluid from a test subject, and comparing the signal peptide profile thus determined for the test subject with a previously-determined profile of signal peptides in a bodily fluid from a healthy subject. In this method, the presence of a difference between the signal peptide profile of the test subject and the signal peptide profile of the healthy subject at any of the following molecular weights is associated with the test subject's suffering from or developing ALS (typically, the difference suggests that the test subject suffers from or has developed ALS):

1405.71±2, 1406.49±2, 1409.40±2, 1410.97±2, 1418.70±2, 1426.68±2, 1437.62±2, 1445.77±2, 1451.61±2, 1456.44±2, 1458.88±2, 1466.24±2, 1468.86±2, 1472.12±2, 1476.87±2, 1482.60±2, 1493.58±2, 1495.42±2, 1496.52±2, 1497.16±2, 1498.88±2, 1502.40±2, 1505.52±2, 1508.76±2, 1510.50±2, 1516.64±2, 1521.93±2, 1529.32±2, 1530.37±2, 1533.52±2, 1539.36±2, 1544.22±2, 1553.72±2, 1555.72±2, 1560.24±2, 1566.20±2, 1567.20±2, 1567.74±2, 1575.70±2, 1578.07±2, 1580.91±2, 1589.58±2, 1592.55±2, 1597.25±2, 1608.53±2, 1609.36±2, 1610.62±2, 1616.12±2, 1629.15±2, 1639.39±2, 1640.36±2, 1646.58±2, 1655.72±2, 1657.97±2, 1659.24±2, 1660.46±2, 1662.16±2, 1679.09±2, 1682.54±2, 1683.12±2, 1687.34±2, 1688.14±2, 1691.08±2, 1691.75±2, 1694.76±2, 1695.74±2, 1700.65±2, 1702.19±2, 1705.53±2, 1708.77±2, 1712.10±2, 1714.63±2, 1715.56±2, 1719.51±2, 1721.61±2, 1726.31±2, 1737.85±2. 1739.71±2, 1743.69±2, 1761.79±2, 1769.93±2, 1774.13±2, 1775.70±2, 1786.39±2, 1788.03±2, 1790.80±2, 1796.23±2, 1797.49±2, 1800.34±2, 1801.79±2, 1804.45±2, 1810.72±2, 1812.31±2, 1813.77±2, 1817.26±2, 1818.66±2, 1819.34±2, 1819.93±2, 1821.71±2, 1822.73±2, 1829.48±2, 1831.81±2, 1832.41±2, 1836.18±2, 1837.33±2, 1840.84±2, 1849.81±2, 1854.68±2, 1858.34±2, 1864.19±2, 1866.06±2, 1875.28±2, 1876.50±2, 1878.25±2, 1890.21±2, 1891.32±2, 1893.00±2, 1904.69±2, 1911.46±2, 1913.68±2, 1916.02±2, 1919.35±2, 1927.13±2, 1931.84±2, 1934.86±2, 1935.52±2, 1936.83±2, 1937.87±2, 1941.22±2, 1944.97±2, 1948.39±2, 1952.47±2, 1957.80±2, 1962.82±2, 1969.82±2, 1972.54±2, 1975.58±2, 1976.51±2, 1977.70±2, 1979.29±2, 1988.46±2, 1991.91±2, 1995.37±2, 2009.91±2, 2011.18±2, 2013.86±2, 2023.97±2, 2027.73±2, 2030.95±2, 2032.69±2, 2039.29±2, 2043.12±2, 2045.68±2, 2051.76±2, 2055.50±2, 2059.05±2, 2062.98±2, 2065.57±2, 2066.09±2, 2074.03±2, 2075.32±2, 2079.80±2, 2083.74±2, 2084.36±2, 2085.85±2, 2089.53±2, 2092.25±2, 2092.80±2, 2097.03±2, 2099.42±2, 2111.39±2, 2113.10±2, 2115.77±2, 2120.37±2, 2126.55±2, 2137.63±2, 2139.15±2, 2140.48±2, 2143.42±2, 2146.46±2, 2149.85±2, 2151.02±2, 2160.22±2, 2161.68±2, 2167.09±2, 2167.78±2, 2168.75±2, 2173.75±2, 2177.51±2, 2179.25±2, 2184.93±2, 2185.65±2, 2186.28±2, 2190.18±2, 2191.02±2, 2192.84±2, 2196.47±2, 2199.82±2, 2201.22±2, 2204.02±2, 2207.10±2, 2211.58±2, 2216.77±2, 2218.45±2, 2219.30±2, 2220.56±2, 2222.74±2, 2226.96±2, 2228.22±2, 2231.60±2, 2239.71±2, 2244.01±2, 2251.78±2, 2254.83±2, 2256.53±2, 2261.91±2, 2266.45±2, 2268.58±2, 2274.97±2, 2276.04±2, 2278.67±2, 2281.09±2, 2285.01±2, 2289.43±2, 2290.85±2, 2292.35±2, 2295.92±2, 2296.92±2, 2301.71±2, 2302.50±2, 2303.21±2, 2305.43±2, 2307.22±2, 2314.24±2, 2314.81±2, 2317.68±2, 2325.30±2, 2327.73±2, 2341.14±2, 2342.87±2, 2344.45±2, 2351.97±2, 2353.99±2, 2355.29±2, 2357.54±2, 2367.75±2, 2375.59±2, 2378.35±2, 2380.39±2, 2393.64±2, 2402, 11±2, 2404.01±2, 2406.49±2, 2412.79±2, 2414.25±2, 2415.20±2, 2416.30±2, 2431.13±2, 2434.36±2, 2438.19±2, 2439.22±2, 2444.37±2, 2451.90±2, 2453.96±2, 2455.44±2, 2456.62±2, 2459.43±2, 2462.31±2, 2464.16±2, 2470.97±2, 2478.17±2, 2479.28±2, 2484.18±2, 2500.40±2, 2502.64±2, 2504.73±2, 2507.42±2, 2509.21±2, 2515.26±2, 2517.43±2, 2519.07±2, 2527.31±2, 2531.06±2, 2532.26±2, 2546.08±2, 2554.96±2, 2559.48±2, 2564.01±2, 2571.26±2, 2578.45±2, 2581.25±2, 2583.37±2, 2584.81±2, 2587.01±2, 2588.90±2, 2593.68±2, 2596.11±2, 2603.33±2, 2608.20±2, 2613.31±2, 2614.91±2, 2622.46±2, 2629.26±2, 2633.69±2, 2634.61±2, 2640.51±2, 2641.73±2, 2652.85±2, 2655.08±2, 2665.15±2, 2670.00±2, 2682.80±2, 2696.41±2, 2697.73±2, 2698.27±2, 2699.82±2, 3302.01±2, 3303.21±2, 3309.84±2, 3323.89±2, 3330.34±2, 3337.92±2, 3366.84±2, 3370.39±2, 3378.18±2, 3380.43±2 and 3384.77±2.

In this Description, a “signal peptide profile” is a data set relating to the presence of multiple signal peptides within a specific molecular weight range (whether the signal peptides are present, and the abundance thereof). Typically, the multiple signal peptides are distinguished (classified) based on their molecular weights.

Such a signal peptide profile can be determined by mass spectrometry for example, and represented as a mass spectrum. A signal peptide profile can also be determined by another analysis method based on the physiochemical properties or biochemical properties of the signal peptides. For example, the signal peptides can be determined based on differences in their electrophoretic properties in two-dimensional electrophoresis, and represented in the form of multiple spots confirmed on the two-dimensional electrophoresis gel. Alternatively, the signal peptide profile can be determined by immunological methods using antibodies to the signal peptides (preferably using a protein microarray capable of analyzing multiple proteins simultaneously).

This signal peptide profile need not include data relating to all signal peptides present within a specific molecular weight range, and need only include data relating to signal peptides having molecular weights that are subject to comparison. Thus, the signal peptide profile includes data relating to 2 or 3 or more, or at least 5, or at least 10, or at least 20, or at least 30, or at least 40, or at least 50, or at least 60, or at least 70, or at least 80, or at least 90, or at least 100 signal peptides.

With the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here, useful data for determining whether or not a test subject suffers from or has developed ALS can be obtained by a simple method in which a profile of signal peptides contained in a bodily fluid from the test subject is determined, and this signal peptide profile is compared with the aforementioned signal peptide profile from a healthy subject. This method for aiding ALS detection can be used favorably for predicting, diagnosing (early diagnosis) and initiating treatment for ALS, and as a follow-up indicator after the start of treatment (typically, as an indicator for determining the effects of treatment).

Because this method is an in vitro test using a bodily fluid collected from a test subject, it does not require that the subject (patient) personally appear at a facility capable of obtaining the signal peptide profile from the bodily fluid. Thus, the method for aiding ALS detection described here can be implemented at many medical facilities.

Moreover, with this method the likelihood that a test subject suffers from or has developed ALS is indicated as the result of a comprehensive analysis of the determined signal peptide profile. Therefore, this method can provide highly reliable data for purposes of ALS diagnosis.

The inventors have confirmed that the likelihood that a test subject suffers from or has developed ALS is greater when certain signal peptides specified by specific molecular weights are more abundant in the signal peptide profile of the test subject. That is, in a preferred embodiment of the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here as the first embodiment, an increase in the abundance of a signal peptide specified by any of the following molecular weights in the signal peptide profile of the test subject in comparison with the signal peptide profile of the healthy subject is associated with the test subject's suffering from or developing ALS (typically, suggests that the test subject suffers from or has developed ALS):

1405.71±2, 1406.49±2, 1409.40±2, 1410.97±2, 1418.70±2, 1426.68±2, 1437.62±2, 1445.77±2, 1451.61±2, 1456.44±2, 1458.88±2, 1466.24±2, 1468.86±2, 1472.12±2, 1476.87±2, 1482.60±2, 1493.58±2, 1495.42±2, 1496.52±2, 1498.88±2, 1502.40±2, 1505.52±2, 1508.76±2, 1510.50±2, 1516.64±2, 1521.93±2, 1529.32±2, 1530.37±2, 1533.52±2, 1539.36±2, 1544.22±2, 1553.72±2, 1555.72±2, 1560.24±2, 1566.20±2, 1567.20±2, 1575.70±2, 1578.07±2, 1580.91±2, 1589.58±2, 1592.55±2, 1597.25±2, 1608.53±2, 1609.36±2, 1610.62±2, 1616.12±2, 1629.15±2, 1639.39±2, 1640.36±2, 1646.58±2, 1655.72±2, 1657.97±2, 1659.24±2, 1660.46±2, 1662.16±2, 1679.09±2, 1682.54±2, 1683.12±2, 1687.34±2, 1688.14±2, 1691.08±2, 1691.75±2, 1694.76±2, 1695.74±2, 1700.65±2, 1702.19±2, 1708.77±2, 1712.10±2, 1714.63±2, 1715.56±2, 1719.51±2, 1721.61±2, 1726.31±2, 1737.85±2, 1739.71±2, 1743.69±2, 1761.79±2, 1769.93±2, 1774.13±2, 1775.70±2, 1786.39±2, 1788.03±2, 1790.80±2, 1796.23±2, 1797.49±2, 1800.34±2, 1801.79±2, 1804.45±2, 1810.72±2, 1812.3±21, 1813.77±2, 1817.26±2, 1818.66±2, 1819.93±2, 1821.71±2, 1822.73±2, 1829.48±2, 1832.41±2, 1836.18±2, 1837.33±2, 1840.84±2, 1849.81±2, 1854.68±2, 1858.34±2, 1864.19±2, 1866.06±2, 1875.28±2, 1876.50±2, 1878.25±2, 1890.21±2, 1891.32±2, 1893.00±2, 1904.69±2, 1911.46±2, 1913.68±2, 1916.02±2, 1919.35±2, 1927.13±2, 1931.84±2, 1934.86±2, 1936.83±2, 1937.87±2, 1941.22±2, 1944.97±2, 1948.39±2, 1952.47±2, 1957.80±2, 1962.82±2, 1969.82±2, 1972.54±2, 1975.58±2, 1976.51±2, 1977.70±2, 1979.29±2, 1988.46±2, 1991.91±2, 1995.37±2, 2009.91±2, 2011.18±2, 2013.86±2, 2023.97±2, 2027.73±2, 2030.95±2, 2032.69±2, 2039.29±2, 2043.12±2, 2045.68±2, 2051.76±2, 2059.05±2, 2062.98±2, 2066.09±2, 2074.03±2, 2075.32±2, 2079.80±2, 2083.74±2, 2085.85±2, 2089.53±2, 2092.80±2, 2097.03±2, 2099.42±2, 2111.39±2, 2113.10±2, 2115.77±2, 2120.37±2, 2126.55±2, 2137.63±2, 2139.15±2, 2143.42±2, 2146.46±2, 2149.85±2, 2151.02±2, 2160.22±2, 2161.68±2, 2167.09±2, 2168.75±2, 2173.75±2, 2177.51±2, 2179.25±2, 2185.65±2, 2186.28±2, 2190.18±2, 2191.02±2, 2192.84±2, 2196.47±2, 2199.82±2, 2201.22±2, 2204.02±2, 2207.10±2, 2211.58±2, 2216.77±2, 2218.45±2, 2219.30±2, 2220.56±2, 2222.74±2, 2226.96±2, 2228.22±2, 2231.60±2, 2239.71±2, 2244.01±2, 2251.78±2, 2254.83±2, 2256.53±2, 2261.91±2, 2266.45±2, 2268.58±2, 2274.97±2, 2276.04±2, 2278.67±2, 2281.09±2, 2285.01±2, 2289.43±2, 2290.85±2, 2292.35±2, 2295.92±2, 2296.92±2, 2301.71±2, 2302.50±2, 2303.21±2, 2305.43±2, 2307.22±2, 2314.24±2, 2317.68±2, 2325.30±2, 2341.14±2, 2342.87±2, 2344.45±2, 2351.97±2, 2353.99±2, 2355.29±2, 2357.54±2, 2367.75±2, 2375.59±2, 2378.35±2, 2380.39±2, 2393.64±2, 2402.11±2, 2404.01±2, 2406.49±2, 2412.79±2, 2414.25±2, 2415.20±2, 2416.30±2, 2431.13±2, 2434.36±2, 2438.19±2, 2439.22±2, 2444.37±2, 2451.90±2, 2453.96±2, 2455.44±2, 2456.62±2, 2459.43±2, 2462.31±2, 2464.16±2, 2470.97±2, 2478.17±2, 2479.28±2, 2484.18±2, 2500.40±2, 2502.64±2, 2504.73±2, 2507.42±2, 2509.21±2, 2515.26±2, 2517.43±2, 2519.07±2, 2527.31±2, 2531.06±2, 2532.26±2, 2546.08±2, 2554.96±2, 2559.48±2, 2564.01±2, 2571.26±2, 2578.45±2, 2581.25±2, 2583.37±2, 2584.81±2, 2587.01±2, 2588.90±2, 2593.68±2, 2596.11±2, 2603.33±2, 2608.20±2, 2613.31±2, 2614.91±2, 2622.46±2, 2629.26±2, 2633.69±2, 2634.61±2, 2640.51±2, 2641.73±2, 2652.85±2, 2655.08±2, 2665.15±2, 2670.00±2, 2682.80±2, 2696.41±2, 2698.27±2, 2699.82±2, 3302.01±2, 3303.21±2, 3323.89±2, 3330.34±2, 3337.92±2, 3366.84±2, 3370.39±2, 3378.18±2, 3380.43±2 and 3384.77±2.

The inventors have also confirmed that in the signal peptide profile of a test subject, the likelihood that the test subject suffers from or has developed ALS is greater when certain signal peptides specified by specific molecular weights are less abundant. That is, in a preferred embodiment of the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here as the first embodiment, a decrease in the abundance of a signal peptide specified by any of the following molecular weights in the signal peptide profile of the test subject in comparison with the signal peptide profile of the healthy subject is associated with the test subject's suffering from or developing ALS (typically, suggests that the test subject suffers from or has developed ALS):

1497.16±2, 1567.74±2, 1705.53±2, 1819.34±2, 1831.81±2, 1935.52±2, 2055.50±2, 2065.57±2, 2084.36±2, 2092.25±2, 2140.48±2, 2167.78±2, 2184.93±2, 2314.81±2, 2327.73±2, 2697.73±2 and 3309.84±2.

In a preferred embodiment of the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here as the first embodiment, the signal peptide profile is tested (determined) with a mass spectrometer.

Comprehensive analysis of signal peptides in a bodily fluid can be accomplished easily and with high accuracy by using a mass spectrometer. That is, a profile of signal peptides in the bodily fluid can be determined easily and with high accuracy by using a mass spectrometer.

Patent Literature 2 describes a method for using mass spectrometry to detect cancer, but does not describe detecting ALS.

In another preferred embodiment of the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here as the first embodiment, the method includes immobilizing a bodily fluid from a test subject on a thermoplastic resin before the signal peptide profile is determined, and the profile of signal peptides present in the bodily fluid immobilized on the thermoplastic resin is determined by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS).

Conventionally, it was believed that when mass spectrometry is performed by irradiating a sample immobilized on a thermoplastic resin with an ionizing laser, the thermoplastic resin on which the sample is immobilized is ionized together with the sample, reducing the accuracy of the mass spectrometry. However, the inventors' researches have confirmed that ionization of signal peptides can be promoted and accurate mass spectrometry can be accomplished by performing mass spectrometry with the bodily fluid to be analyzed immobilized on a thermoplastic resin.

That is, even when a bodily fluid contains signal peptides that are difficult to ionize, a signal peptide profile that includes these signal peptides can be determined favorably by analysis using MALDI-TOFMS with the bodily fluid immobilized on a thermoplastic resin.

After further research into signal peptide profiles in the bodily fluids ofALS patients, the inventors confirmed that body fluids from ALS patients and body fluids from healthy subjects differ in the degree of abundance of specific signal peptides.

Thus, the second embodiment of the present invention provides a method for aiding ALS detection, the method including testing the presence or absence of an ALS-associated signal peptide in a bodily fluid from a test subject or the degree of abundance of the ALS-associated signal peptide when present.

The ALS-associated signal peptide is a signal peptide the presence or absence or degree of abundance of which in a bodily fluid from an ALS patient differs from the presence or absence or reference level set for degree of abundance of the same signal peptide in a bodily fluid from a healthy subject. The molecular weight of this ALS-associated signal peptide is:

1405.71±2, 1406.49±2, 1409.40±2, 1410.97±2, 1418.70±2, 1426.68±2, 1437.62±2, 1445.77±2, 1451.61±2, 1456.44±2, 1458.88±2, 1466.24±2, 1468.86±2, 1472.12±2, 1476.87±2, 1482.60±2, 1493.58±2, 1495.42±2, 1496.52±2, 1497.16±2, 1498.88±2, 1502.40±2, 1505.52±2, 1508.76±2, 1510.50±2, 1516.64±2, 1521.93±2, 1529.32±2, 1530.37±2, 1533.52±2, 1539.36±2, 1544.22±2, 1553.72±2, 1555.72±2, 1560.24±2, 1566.20±2, 1567.20±2, 1567.74±2, 1575.70±2, 1578.07±2, 1580.91±2, 1589.58±2, 1592.55±2, 1597.25±2, 1608.53±2, 1609.36±2, 1610.62±2, 1616.12±2, 1629.15±2, 1639.39±2, 1640.36±2, 1646.58±2, 1655.72±2, 1657.97±2, 1659.24±2, 1660.46±2, 1662.16±2, 1679.09±2, 1682.54±2, 1683.12±2, 1687.34±2, 1688.14±2, 1691.08±2, 1691.75±2, 1694.76±2, 1695.74±2, 1700.65±2, 1702.19±2, 1705.53±2, 1708.77±2, 1712.10±2, 1714.63±2, 1715.56±2, 1719.51±2, 1721.61±2, 1726.31±2, 1737.85±2, 1739.71±2, 1743.69±2, 1761.79±2, 1769.93±2, 1774.13±2, 1775.70±2, 1786.39±2, 1788.03±2, 1790.80±2, 1796.23±2, 1797.49±2, 1800.34±2, 1801.79±2, 1804.45±2, 1810.72±2, 1812.31±2, 1813.77±2, 1817.26±2, 1818.66±2, 1819.34±2, 1819.93±2, 1821.71±2, 1822.73±2, 1829.48±2, 1831.81±2, 1832.41±2, 1836.18±2, 1837.33±2, 1840.84±2, 1849.81±2, 1854.68±2, 1858.34±2, 1864.19±2, 1866.06±2, 1875.28±2, 1876.50±2, 1878.25±2, 1890.21±2, 1891.32±2, 1893.00±2, 1904.69±2, 1911.46±2, 1913.68±2, 1916.02±2, 1919.35±2, 1927.13±2, 1931.84±2, 1934.86±2, 1935.52±2, 1936.83±2, 1937.87±2, 1941.22±2, 1944.97±2, 1948.39±2, 1952.47±2, 1957.80±2, 1962.82±2, 1969.82±2, 1972.54±2, 1975.58±2, 1976.51±2, 1977.70±2, 1979.29±2, 1988.46±2, 1991.91±2, 1995.37±2, 2009.91±2, 2011.18±2, 2013.86±2, 2023.97±2, 2027.73±2, 2030.95±2, 2032.69±2, 2039.29±2, 2043.12±2, 2045.68±2, 2051.76±2, 2055.50±2, 2059.05±2, 2062.98±2, 2065.57±2, 2066.09±2, 2074.03±2, 2075.32±2, 2079.80±2, 2083.74±2, 2084.36±2, 2085.85±2, 2089.53±2, 2092.25±2, 2092.80±2, 2097.03±2, 2099.42±2, 2111.39±2, 2113.10±2, 2115.77±2, 2120.37±2, 2126.55±2, 2137.63±2, 2139.15±2, 2140.48±2, 2143.42±2, 2146.46±2, 2149.85±2, 2151.02±2, 2160.22±2, 2161.68±2, 2167.09±2, 2167.78±2, 2168.75±2, 2173.75±2, 2177.51±2, 2179.25±2, 2184.93±2, 2185.65±2, 2186.28±2, 2190.18±2, 2191.02±2, 2192.84±2, 2196.47±2, 2199.82±2, 2201.22±2, 2204.02±2, 2207.10±2, 2211.58±2, 2216.77±2, 2218.45±2, 2219.30±2, 2220.56±2, 2222.74±2, 2226.96±2, 2228.22±2, 2231.60±2, 2239.71±2, 2244.01±2, 2251.78±2, 2254.83±2, 2256.53±2, 2261.91±2, 2266.45±2, 2268.58±2, 2274.97±2, 2276.04±2, 2278.67±2, 2281.09±2, 2285.01±2, 2289.43±2, 2290.85±2, 2292.35±2, 2295.92±2, 2296.92±2, 2301.71±2, 2302.50±2, 2303.21±2, 2305.43±2, 2307.22±2, 2314.24±2, 2314.81±2, 2317.68±2, 2325.30±2, 2327.73±2, 2341.14±2, 2342.87±2, 2344.45±2, 2351.97±2, 2353.99±2, 2355.29±2, 2357.54±2, 2367.75±2, 2375.59±2, 2378.35±2, 2380.39±2, 2393.64±2, 2402.11±2, 2404.01±2, 2406.49±2, 2412.79±2, 2414.25±2, 2415.20±2, 2416.30±2, 2431.13±2, 2434.36±2, 2438.19±2, 2439.22±2, 2444.37±2, 2451.90±2, 2453.96±2, 2455.44±2, 2456.62±2, 2459.43±2, 2462.31±2, 2464.16±2, 2470.97±2, 2478.17±2, 2479.28±2, 2484.18±2, 2500.40±2, 2502.64±2, 2504.73±2, 2507.42±2, 2509.21±2, 2515.26±2, 2517.43±2, 2519.07±2, 2527.31±2, 2531.06±2, 2532.26±2, 2546.08±2, 2554.96±2, 2559.48±2, 2564.01±2, 2571.26±2, 2578.45±2, 2581.25±2, 2583.37±2, 2584.81±2, 2587.01±2, 2588.90±2, 2593.68±2, 2596.11±2, 2603.33±2, 2608.20±2, 2613.31±2, 2614.91±2, 2622.46±2, 2629.26±2, 2633.69±2, 2634.61±2, 2640.51±2, 2641.73±2, 2652.85±2, 2655.08±2, 2665.15±2, 2670.00±2, 2682.80±2, 2696.41±2, 2697.73±2, 2698.27±2, 2699.82±2, 3302.01±2, 3303.21±2, 3309.84±2, 3323.89±2, 3330.34±2, 3337.92±2, 3366.84±2, 3370.39±2, 3378.18±2, 3380.43±2 or 3384.77±2.

With this method, the likelihood that a test subject suffers from or has developed ALS can be easily investigated by a simple method in which the presence or absence of the ALS-associated signal peptide, or the abundance thereof when present, is tested in a bodily fluid from the test subject. This method for aiding ALS detection can be used favorably for predicting, diagnosing (early diagnosis) and initiating treatment for ALS, and as a follow-up indicator after the start of treatment (typically, as an indicator for determining the effects of treatment).

Because this method is an in vitro test method using a bodily fluid collected from a test subject, it does not require that the subject (patient) personally appear at a facility capable of testing the presence or absence or degree of abundance of the signal peptide in the bodily fluid. Thus, the method for aiding ALS detection described here can be implemented at many medical facilities.

In a preferred embodiment of the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here as the second embodiment, an amino acid sequence constituting the ALS-associated signal peptide is any of amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID Nos: 1 to 1580.

A signal peptide comprising any of the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID Nos: 1 to 1580 is a typical example of a signal peptide corresponding to the molecular weight of the ALS-associated signal peptide. That is, the signal peptides comprising the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID Nos: 1 to 1580 above are suitable as the ALS-associated signal peptide.

The ALS-associated signal peptide disclosed here is a signal peptide the presence or absence or degree of abundance of which in a bodily fluid from an ALS patient has been confirmed by the inventors to differ from a reference level set based on the presence or absence and degree of abundance of the same signal peptide in a bodily fluid from a healthy subject. Thus, this ALS-associated signal peptide can be used as a biomarker for diagnosing ALS.

That is, another aspect of the present invention provides a biomarker for use in diagnosing ALS. This biomarker is a signal peptide comprising any of the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID Nos: 1 to 1580.

In another preferred embodiment of the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here as the second embodiment, the degree of abundance of any of the ALS-associated signal peptides having the following molecular weights out of the tested ALS-associated signal peptides in the bodily fluid from the test subject is confirmed to be high in comparison with the reference level:

1405.71±2, 1406.49±2, 1409.40±2, 1410.97±2, 1418.70±2, 1426.68±2, 1437.62±2, 1445.77±2, 1451.61±2, 1456.44±2, 1458.88±2, 1466.24±2, 1468.86±2, 1472.12±2, 1476.87±2, 1482.60±2, 1493.58±2, 1495.42±2, 1496.52±2, 1498.88±2, 1502.40±2, 1505.52±2, 1508.76±2, 1510.50±2, 1516.64±2, 1521.93±2, 1529.32±2, 1530.37±2, 1533.52±2, 1539.36±2, 1544.22±2, 1553.72±2, 1555.72±2, 1560.24±2, 1566.20±2, 1567.20±2, 1575.70±2, 1578.07±2, 1580.91±2, 1589.58±2, 1592.55±2, 1597.25±2, 1608.531±2, 1609.36±2, 1610.62±2, 1616.12±2, 1629.15±2, 1639.39±2, 1640.36±2, 1646.58±2, 1655.72±2, 1657.97±2, 1659.24±2, 1660.46±2, 1662.16±2, 1679.09±2, 1682.54±2, 1683.12±2, 1687.34±2, 1688.14±2, 1691.08±2, 1691.75±2, 1694.76±2, 1695.74±2, 1700.65±2, 1702.19±2, 1708.77±2, 1712.10±2, 1714.63±2, 1715.56±2, 1719.51±2, 1721.61±2, 1726.31±2, 1737.85±2, 1739.71±2, 1743.69±2, 1761.79±2, 1769.93±2, 1774.13±2, 1775.70±2, 1786.39±2, 1788.03±2, 1790.80±2, 1796.23±2, 1797.49±2, 1800.34±2, 1801.79±2, 1804.45±2, 1810.72±2, 1812.3±21, 1813.77±2, 1817.26±2, 1818.66±2, 1819.93±2, 1821.71±2, 1822.73±2, 1829.48±2, 1832.41±2, 1836.18±2, 1837.33±2, 1840.84±2, 1849.81±2, 1854.68±2, 1858.34±2, 1864.19±2, 1866.06±2, 1875.28±2, 1876.50±2, 1878.25±2, 1890.21±2, 1891.32±2, 1893.00±2, 1904.69±2, 1911.46±2, 1913.68±2, 1916.02±2, 1919.35±2, 1927.13±2, 1931.84±2, 1934.86±2, 1936.83±2, 1937.87±2, 1941.22±2, 1944.97±2, 1948.39±2, 1952.47±2, 1957.80±2, 1962.82±2, 1969.82±2, 1972.54±2, 1975.58±2, 1976.51±2, 1977.70±2, 1979.29±2, 1988.46±2, 1991.91±2, 1995.37±2, 2009.91±2, 2011.18±2, 2013.86±2, 2023.97±2, 2027.73±2, 2030.95±2, 2032.69±2, 2039.29±2, 2043.12±2, 2045.68±2, 2051.76±2, 2059.05±2, 2062.98±2, 2066.09±2, 2074.03±2, 2075.32±2, 2079.80±2, 2083.74±2, 2085.85±2, 2089.53±2, 2092.80±2, 2097.03±2, 2099.42±2, 2111.39±2, 2113.10±2, 2115.77±2, 2120.37±2, 2126.55±2, 2137.63±2, 2139.15±2, 2143.42±2, 2146.46±2, 2149.85±2, 2151.02±2, 2160.22±2, 2161.68±2, 2167.09±2, 2168.75±2, 2173.75±2, 2177.51±2, 2179.25±2, 2185.65±2, 2186.28±2, 2190.18±2, 2191.02±2, 2192.84±2, 2196.47±2, 2199.82±2, 2201.22±2, 2204.02±2, 2207.10±2, 2211.58±2, 2216.77±2, 2218.45±2, 2219.30±2, 2220.56±2, 2222.74±2, 2226.96±2, 2228.22±2, 2231.60±2, 2239.71±2, 2244.01±2, 2251.78±2, 2254.83±2, 2256.53±2, 2261.91±2, 2266.45±2, 2268.58±2, 2274.97±2, 2276.04±2, 2278.67±2, 2281.09±2, 2285.01±2, 2289.43±2, 2290.85±2, 2292.35±2, 2295.92±2, 2296.92±2, 2301.71±2, 2302.50±2, 2303.21±2, 2305.43±2, 2307.22±2, 2314.24±2, 2317.68±2, 2325.30±2, 2341.14±2, 2342.87±2, 2344.45±2, 2351.97±2, 2353.99±2, 2355.29±2, 2357.54±2, 2367.75±2, 2375.59±2, 2378.35±2, 2380.39±2, 2393.64±2, 2402.11±2, 2404.01±2, 2406.49±2, 2412.79±2, 2414.25±2, 2415.20±2, 2416.30±2, 2431.13±2, 2434.36±2, 2438.19±2, 2439.22±2, 2444.37±2, 2451.90±2, 2453.96±2, 2455.44±2, 2456.62±2, 2459.43±2, 2462.31±2, 2464.16±2, 2470.97±2, 2478.17±2, 2479.28±2, 2484.18±2, 2500.40±2, 2502.64±2, 2504.73±2, 2507.42±2, 2509.21±2, 2515.26±2, 2517.43±2, 2519.07±2, 2527.31±2, 2531.06±2, 2532.26±2, 2546.08±2, 2554.96±2, 2559.48±2, 2564.01±2, 2571.26±2, 2578.45±2, 2581.25±2, 2583.37±2, 2584.81±2, 2587.01±2, 2588.90±2, 2593.68±2, 2596.11±2, 2603.33±2, 2608.20±2, 2613.31±2, 2614.91±2, 2622.46±2, 2629.26±2, 2633.69±2, 2634.61±2, 2640.51±2, 2641.73±2, 2652.85±2, 2655.08±2, 2665.15±2, 2670.00±2, 2682.80±2, 2696.41±2, 2698.27±2, 2699.82±2, 3302.01±2, 3303.21±2, 3323.89±2, 3330.34±2, 3337.92±2, 3366.84±2, 3370.39±2, 3378.18±2, 3380.43±2 and 3384.77±2.

In a preferred embodiment, an amino acid sequence of the ALS-associated signal peptide is any of amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID Nos: 1 to 16, 21 to 27, 29 to 46, 53 to 67, 72 to 87, 94 to 108, 118 to 172, 179 to 243, 248 to 295, 297 to 304, 307 to 317, 320 to 333, 337 to 354, 359 to 422, 424, 425, 430 to 585, 587 to 593, 595 to 605, 607 to 693, 696, 699 to 777, 786 to 902, 906 to 914, 918 to 945, 947 to 983, 990 to 1029, 1042 to 1201, 1208 to 1217, 1230 to 1566, 1569 to 1571 and 1574 to 1580.

This ALS-associated signal peptide is a signal peptide the abundance of which in a bodily fluid from an ALS patient has been confirmed by the inventors to be greater than its reference level. Consequently, if the abundance of this ALS-associated signal peptide is found to be greater than the reference level in a bodily fluid from a test subject, this abundance is associated with the test subject's suffering from or having developed ALS (typically, it suggests that the test subject suffers from or has developed ALS).

In another preferred embodiment of the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here as the second embodiment, the method further includes confirming that the degree of abundance of any of the ALS-associated signal peptides having the following molecular weights out of the tested ALS-associated signal peptides in the bodily fluid from the test subject is low in comparison with a reference level set based on the degree of abundance of the same signal peptide in a bodily fluid from a healthy subject:

1497.16±2, 1567.74±2, 1705.53±2, 1819.34±2, 1831.81±2, 1935.52±2, 2055.50±2, 2065.57±2, 2084.36±2, 2092.25±2, 2140.48±2, 2167.78±2, 2184.93±2, 2314.81±2, 2327.73±2, 2697.73±2 and 3309.84±2.

In a preferred embodiment, an amino acid sequence of the ALS-associated signal peptide is any of amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID Nos: 68, 69, 296, 357, 429, 903 to 905, 1223 to 1229, 1572 and 1573.

This ALS-associated signal peptide is a signal peptide the abundance of which in a bodily fluid from an ALS patient has been confirmed by the inventors to be lower than its reference level. Consequently, if the abundance of this ALS-associated signal peptide is found to be lower than the reference level in a bodily fluid from a test subject, this abundance is associated with the test subject's suffering from or having developed ALS (typically, it suggests that the test subject suffers from or has developed ALS).

Moreover, in another preferred embodiment of the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here as the second embodiment, at least the degree of abundance of an ALS-associated signal peptide with a molecular weight of 1502.40±2, 1521.93±2, 1629.15±2, 1682.54±2, 1691.75±2, 1705.53±2, 1821.71±2, 1836.18±2, 1948.39±2, 2011.18±2, 2092.80±2, 2099.42±2, 2177.51±2, 2179.25±2, 2186.28±2, 2211.58±2, 2226.96±2, 2254.83±2, 2278.67±2, 2290.85±2, 2292.35±2, 2502.64±2, 2640.51±2, 2698.27±2 or 3330.34±2 is tested.

In an especially preferred embodiment, an amino acid sequence constituting the ALS-associated signal peptide is any of the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID Nos: 1 to 180.

This ALS-associated signal peptide is a signal peptide the presence or absence or degree of abundance of which in a bodily fluid from an ALS patient has been confirmed by the inventors to be dramatically different from the presence or absence or degree of abundance of the same signal peptide in a bodily fluid from a healthy subject (typically, from the reference level). Consequently, useful and highly reliable data for judging whether a test subject suffers from or has developed ALS can be obtained by testing whether or not the ALS-associated signal peptide is present in a bodily fluid from the test subject, or by testing the degree of abundance of the ALS-associated signal peptide when it is present.

In another preferred embodiment of the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here as the second embodiment, at least 10 kinds of ALS-associated signal peptides having molecular weights differing by at least 3 from each other are tested in the bodily fluid from the test subject.

By testing multiple ALS-associated signal peptides with different molecular weights, it is possible to obtain even more reliable (accurate) data for judging whether a test subject suffers from or has developed ALS.

Moreover, in another preferred embodiment of the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here as the second embodiment, the presence or absence or degree of abundance of the ALS-associated signal peptide in the bodily fluid from the test subject is tested with a mass spectrometer.

The presence or absence and degree of abundance of multiple ALS-associated signal peptides can be tested efficiently using such a mass spectrometer.

In another preferred embodiment of the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here as the second embodiment, the method includes immobilizing the bodily fluid on a thermoplastic resin before the presence or absence and degree of abundance of the ALS-associated signal peptide in the bodily fluid is tested, and the presence or absence and degree of abundance of the ALS-associated signal peptide in the bodily fluid immobilized on the thermoplastic resin is determined by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometly (MALDI-TOFMS).

The presence or absence and degree of abundance of even a difficult-to-ionize signal peptide can be analyzed with a high degree of accuracy by fixing the bodily fluid on the thermoplastic resin and using MALDI-TOFMS to investigate the ALS-associated signal peptide in the immobilize bodily fluid.

Moreover, in another preferred embodiment of the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here as the first or second embodiment, the bodily fluid is a cerebrospinal fluid.

The cerebrospinal fluid has few contaminants. Because the cerebrospinal fluid circulates continuously through the brain and spinal column, moreover, it easily reflects changes in the environment of the nervous system (typically the central nervous system). Consequently, the cerebrospinal fluid is a suitable subject for testing signal peptide profiles, and also for testing the presence or absence or degree of abundance of ALS-associated signal peptides.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a composition for use in detecting ALS (hereunder also called an “ALS testing composition”). An ALS testing composition of one embodiment disclosed herein includes a synthetic peptide comprising any of amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID Nos: 1 to 1580, and one or two or more carriers.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a kit for use in detecting ALS (hereunder also called an “ALS testing kit”). An ALS kit of one embodiment disclosed herein includes a synthetic peptide comprising any of amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID Nos: 1 to 1580, and a support for immobilizing (carrying) the synthetic peptide or a bodily fluid from a test subject.

The synthetic peptide contained in the ALS testing composition and ALS testing kit is an artificially synthesized peptide comprising the same amino acid sequence as a signal peptide that is one of the ALS-associated signal peptides discovered by the inventors. Consequently, this synthetic peptide can be used as a standard substance or a control (typically a positive control) in a method for aiding ALS detection. Thus, a method for aiding ALS detection can be implemented with a high degree of reliability using the composition or kit disclosed here.

In a preferred embodiment of the ALS testing kit disclosed here, the support is made of a thermoplastic resin.

Fixing the synthetic peptide on a thermoplastic resin support allows the peptide to be analyzed (measured) favorably by mass spectrometry (typically MALDI-TOFMS) using MALDI (matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization) as the ionization method even if the peptide is one that is difficult to ionize. Consequently, this ALS testing kit is especially desirable when mass spectrometry (typically MALDI-TOFMS) using MALDI (matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization) as the ionization method is used as the method for aiding ALS detection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graph showing a typical example of a signal peptide profile; this graph schematically shows a profile of signal peptides presumed to be present in a bodily fluid from a virtual subject A; and the molecular weights of the signal peptides are shown on the horizontal axis, and the amount (mol) of each signal peptide on the vertical axis.

FIG. 2 is a graph displaying the signal peptide profile of subject A from FIG. 1 together with the signal peptide profile of a subject B, which was determined separately from the signal peptide profile of the subject A: the molecular weights of the signal peptides are shown on the horizontal axis and the abundance (mol) of each signal peptides on the vertical axis; and as in the case of the subject A, the signal peptide profile of the subject B displayed on this graph is a profile of signal peptides presumed to be present in a bodily fluid from a virtual subject B.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are explained below. Matters other than those specifically mentioned in this Description (such as the molecular weights and amino acid sequences of the ALS-associated signal peptides disclosed here) that are necessary for implementing the present invention (such as methods for analyzing signal peptides in a bodily fluid, peptide chemical synthesis methods, and general matters associated with the preparation of testing compositions containing peptides) can be understood as design matters by those skilled in the art based on prior art in the fields of cell engineering, physiology, medicine, pharmacology, organic chemistry, biochemistry, genetic engineering, protein engineering, molecular biology, genetics and the like. The present invention can be implemented based on the content disclosed in this Description and technical common knowledge in these fields. In the explanations below, in some cases amino acids are represented by 1-letter abbreviations based on the rules of nomenclature for amino acids as given in the IUPAC-IUB guidelines (but are represented by 3-letter abbreviations in the sequence tables).

The entire contents of all literature cited in this Description are incorporated by reference in this Description.

In this Description, a “synthetic peptide” is not a peptide whose peptide chain exists stably and independently by itself in nature, but rather a peptide fragment that has been manufactured by artificial chemical synthesis or biosynthesis (that is, production based on genetic engineering), and can exist stably in a specific composition (such as an ALS testing composition or ALS testing kit used to detect ALS).

In this Description, moreover, the term “peptide” refers to an amino acid polymer having multiple peptide bonds, and encompasses those called polypeptides and oligopeptides according to the number of constituent amino acid residues. Typically, it refers to those with relatively low molecular weights comprising not more than 50 (preferably not more than 30, such as not more than 20) total amino acid residues.

In this Description, “amino acid residue” is a term encompassing the N-terminal amino acid and C-terminal amino acid of the peptide chain, except where otherwise specified.

The amino acid sequences described in this Description are always N-terminal on the left side and C-terminal on the right.

The terms “healthy” and “normal” are used synonymously in the present Description. These terms signify the healthy state of an individual who exhibits no clinical symptoms of ALS and has not been diagnosed with ALS. That is, in the present Description a “healthy subject”, “healthy person” or “normal subject” means the same as a “healthy individual” or “normal individual”, meaning that the individual exhibits no clinical symptoms of ALS and has not been diagnosed with ALS. In the present Description, a “healthy subject” is a “healthy person”, meaning a test subject used as a comparative subject in the inventions disclosed here.

The “healthy subject” is preferably one who does not suffer from and has not developed any other disease that causes impaired motor function (such as spinal muscular atrophy, multifocal neuropathy, post-polio syndrome or multiple sclerosis), and more preferably is one who also does not suffer from and has not developed any other neurodegenerative disease (such as Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease).

Moreover, the “healthy subject” is preferably one who resembles the test subject in such background factors as race, age, sex and the like.

In this Description, the “degree of abundance of a signal peptide” is not limited to the absolute quantitative value of the signal peptide in a bodily fluid, but also includes the relative quantitative value of the signal peptide. For example, it may means that the abundance of the signal peptide is greater or less than the abundance thereof in a specific bodily fluid (typically, a bodily fluid from a healthy subject), or that it is greater or less than a specific reference value (typically, a reference value determined from the degree of abundance of the signal peptide in a bodily fluid from a healthy subject).

In this Description, moreover, the “±2” in “M±2” designating a specific molecular weight M indicates an error range that may occur due to the analytic equipment, analytic methods and measurement conditions and differences in these. An error range of “±2” has been set based on the error range that may occur in mass spectrometry using general-purpose MALDI-TOFMS, but the error range is not limited to this, and another value (such as ±1 or +3) can also be set appropriately depending on the analytic equipment, analytic methods and measurement conditions.

First Embodiment

Focusing on signal peptides in a bodily fluid, the inventors first conducted exhaustive research into bodily fluids from ALS patients and bodily fluids from healthy subjects, including a comprehensive analysis of signal peptides present in these bodily fluids. Considering the fact that the signal peptide profiles of bodily fluids from ALS patients differ from the signal peptide profiles of bodily fluids from healthy subjects, we perfected a method for aiding ALS detection based on differences between these signal peptide profiles.

That is, in the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here as the first embodiment, the presence of a difference between a profile of signal peptides contained in a bodily fluid from a test subject and a profile of signal peptides contained in a bodily fluid from a healthy subject at a specific molecular weight or weights is associated with the test subject's suffering from or developing ALS (typically, the difference suggests that the test subject suffers from or has developed ALS, by for example indicating an increased likelihood that the test subject suffers from or has developed ALS).

Specifically, the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed as the first embodiment includes:

(i) determining a profile of signal peptides in the molecular weight range of 1000 to 3500 from signal peptides contained in a bodily fluid from a test subject; and

(ii) comparing the signal peptide profile thus determined for the test subject with a signal peptide profile previously determined in a bodily fluid from a healthy subject.

In this method for aiding ALS detection, the presence of a difference between the signal peptide profile of the test subject and the signal peptide profile of the healthy subject at any of the following molecular weights is associated with the test subject's suffering from or developing ALS (typically, the difference suggests that the test subject suffers from or has developed ALS):

1405.71±2, 1406.49±2, 1409.40±2, 1410.97±2, 1418.70±2, 1426.68±2, 1437.62±2, 1445.77±2, 1451.61±2, 1456.44±2, 1458.88±2, 1466.24±2, 1468.86±2, 1472.12±2, 1476.87±2, 1482.60±2, 1493.58±2, 1495.42±2, 1496.52±2, 1497.16±2, 1498.88±2, 1502.40±2, 1505.52±2, 1508.76±2, 1510.50±2, 1516.64±2, 1521.93±2, 1529.32±2, 1530.37±2, 1533.52±2, 1539.36±2, 1544.22±2, 1553.72±2, 1555.72±2, 1560.24±2, 1566.20±2, 1567.20±2, 1567.74±2, 1575.70±2, 1578.07±2, 1580.91±2, 1589.58±2, 1592.55±2, 1597.25±2, 1608.53±2, 1609.36±2, 1610.62±2, 1616.12±2, 1629.15±2, 1639.39±2, 1640.36±2, 1646.58±2, 1655.72±2, 1657.97±2, 1659.24±2, 1660.46±2, 1662, 16±2, 1679.09±2, 1682.54±2, 1683.12±2, 1687.34±2, 1688.14±2, 1691.08±2, 1691.75±2, 1694.76±2, 1695.74±2, 1700.65±2, 1702.19±2, 1705.53±2, 1708.77±2, 1712.10±2, 1714.63±2, 1715.56±2, 1719.51±2, 1721.61±2, 1726.31±2, 1737.85±2, 1739.71±2, 1743.69±2, 1761.79±2, 1769.93±2, 1774.13±2, 1775.70±2, 1786.39±2, 1788.03±2, 1790.80±2, 1796.23±2, 1797.49±2, 1800.34±2, 1801.79±2, 1804.45±2, 1810.72±2, 1812.31±2, 1813.77±2, 1817.26±2, 1818.66±2, 1819.34±2, 1819.93±2, 1821.71±2, 1822.73±2, 1829.48±2, 1831.81±2, 1832.41±2, 1836.18±2, 1837.33±2, 1840.84±2, 1849.81±2, 1854.68±2, 1858.34±2, 1864.19±2, 1866.06±2, 1875.28±2, 1876.50±2, 1878.25±2, 1890.21±2, 1891.32±2, 1893.00±2, 1904.69±2, 1911.46±2, 1913.68±2, 1916.02±2, 1919.35±2, 1927.13±2, 1931.84±2, 1934.86±2, 1935.52±2, 1936.83±2, 1937.87±2, 1941.22±2, 1944.97±2, 1948.39±2, 1952.47±2, 1957.80±2, 1962.82±2, 1969.82±2, 1972.54±2, 1975.58±2, 1976.51±2, 1977.70±2, 1979.29±2, 1988.46±2, 1991.91±2, 1995.37±2, 2009.91±2, 2011.18±2, 2013.86±2, 2023.97±2, 2027.73±2, 2030.95±2, 2032.69±2, 2039.29±2, 2043.12±2, 2045.68±2, 2051.76±2, 2055.50±2, 2059.05±2, 2062.98±2, 2065.57±2, 2066.09±2, 2074.03±2, 2075.32±2, 2079.80±2, 2083.74±2, 2084.36±2, 2085.85±2, 2089.53±2, 2092.25±2, 2092.80±2, 2097.03±2, 2099.42±2, 2111.39±2, 2113.10±2, 2115.77±2, 2120.37±2, 2126.55±2, 2137.63±2, 2139.15±2, 2140.48±2, 2143.42±2, 2146.46±2, 2149.85±2, 2151.02±2, 2160.22±2, 2161.68±2, 2167.09±2, 2167.78±2, 2168.75±2, 2173.75±2, 2177.51±2, 2179.25±2, 2184.93±2, 2185.65±2, 2186.28±2, 2190.18±2, 2191.02±2, 2192.84±2, 2196.47±2, 2199.82±2, 2201.22±2, 2204.02±2, 2207.10±2, 2211.58±2, 2216.77±2, 2218.45±2, 2219.30±2, 2220.56±2, 2222.74±2, 2226.96±2, 2228.22±2, 2231.60±2, 2239.71±2, 2244.01±2, 2251.78±2, 2254.83±2, 2256.53±2, 2261.91±2, 2266.45±2, 2268.58±2, 2274.97±2, 2276.04±2, 2278.67±2, 2281.09±2, 2285.01±2, 2289.43±2, 2290.85±2, 2292.35±2, 2295.92±2, 2296.92±2, 2301.71±2, 2302.50±2, 2303.21±2, 2305.43±2, 2307.22±2, 2314.24±2, 2314.81±2, 2317.68±2, 2325.30±2, 2327.73±2, 2341.14±2, 2342.87±2, 2344.45±2, 2351.97±2, 2353.99±2, 2355.29±2, 2357.54±2, 2367.75±2, 2375.59±2, 2378.35±2, 2380.39±2, 2393.64±2, 2402.11±2, 2404.01±2, 2406.49±2, 2412.79±2, 2414.25±2, 2415.20±2, 2416.30±2, 2431.13±2, 2434.36±2, 2438.19±2, 2439.22±2, 2444.37±2, 2451.90±2, 2453.96±2, 2455.44±2, 2456.62±2, 2459.43±2, 2462.31±2, 2464.16±2, 2470.97±2, 2478.17±2, 2479.28±2, 2484.18±2, 2500.40±2, 2502.64±2, 2504.73±2, 2507.42±2, 2509.21±2, 2515.26±2, 2517.43±2, 2519.07±2, 2527.31±2, 2531.06±2, 2532.26±2, 2546.08±2, 2554.96±2, 2559.48±2, 2564.01±2, 2571.26±2, 2578.45±2, 2581.25±2, 2583.37±2, 2584.81±2, 2587.01±2, 2588.90±2, 2593.68±2, 2596.11±2, 2603.33±2, 2608.20±2, 2613.31±2, 2614.91±2, 2622.46±2, 2629.26±2, 2633.69±2, 2634.61±2, 2640.51±2, 2641.73±2, 2652.85±2, 2655.08±2, 2665.15±2, 2670.00±2, 2682.80±2, 2696.41±2, 2697.73±2, 2698.27±2, 2699.82±2, 3302.01±2, 3303.21±2, 3309.84±2, 3323.89±2, 3330.34±2, 3337.92±2, 3366.84±2, 3370.39±2, 3378.18±2, 3380.43±2 and 3384.77±2.

In a profile of signal peptides in a bodily fluid from an ALS patient, a signal peptide specified by any of the following molecular weights is more abundant than in the signal peptide profile of a healthy subject:

1405.71±2, 1406.49±2, 1409.40±2, 1410.97±2, 1418.70±2, 1426.68±2, 1437.62±2, 1445.77±2, 1451.61±2, 1456.44±2, 1458.88±2, 1466.24±2, 1468.86±2, 1472.12±2, 1476.87±2, 1482.60±2, 1493.58±2, 1495.42±2, 1496.52±2, 1498.88±2, 1502.40±2, 1505.52±2, 1508.76±2, 1510.50±2, 1516.64±2, 1521.93±2, 1529.32±2, 1530.37±2, 1533.52±2, 1539.36±2, 1544.22±2, 1553.72±2, 1555.72±2, 1560.24±2, 1566.20±2, 1567.20±2, 1575.70±2, 1578.07±2, 1580.91±2, 1589.58±2, 1592.55±2, 1597.25±2, 1608.53±2, 1609.36±2, 1610.62±2, 1616.12±2, 1629.15±2, 1639.39±2, 1640.36±2, 1646.58±2, 1655.72±2, 1657.97±2, 1659.24±2, 1660.46±2, 1662.16±2, 1679.09±2, 1682.54±2, 1683.12±2, 1687.34±2, 1688.14±2, 1691.08±2, 1691.75±2, 1694.76±2, 1695.74±2, 1700.65±2, 1702.19±2, 1708.77±2, 1712.10±2, 1714.63±2, 1715.56±2, 1719.51±2, 1721.61±2, 1726.31±2, 1737.85±2, 1739.71±2, 1743.69±2, 1761.79±2, 1769.93±2, 1774.13±2, 1775.70±2, 1786.39±2, 1788.03±2, 1790.80±2, 1796.23±2, 1797.49±2, 1800.34±2, 1801.79±2, 1804.45±2, 1810.72±2, 1812.3±21, 1813.77±2, 1817.26±2, 1818.66±2, 1819.93±2, 1821.71±2, 1822.73±2, 1829.48±2, 1832.41±2, 1836.18±2, 1837.33±2, 1840.84±2, 1849.81±2, 1854.68±2, 1858.34±2, 1864.19±2, 1866.06±2, 1875.28±2, 1876.50±2, 1878.25±2, 1890.21±2, 1891.32±2, 1893.00±2, 1904.69±2, 1911.46±2, 1913.68±2, 1916.02±2, 1919.35±2, 1927.13±2, 1931.84±2, 1934.86±2, 1936.83±2, 1937.87±2, 1941.22±2, 1944.97±2, 1948.39±2, 1952.47±2, 1957.80±2, 1962.82±2, 1969.82±2, 1972.54±2, 1975.58±2, 1976.51±2, 1977.70±2, 1979.29±2, 1988.46±2, 1991.91±2, 1995.37±2, 2009.91±2, 2011.18±2, 2013.86±2, 2023.97±2, 2027.73±2, 2030.95±2, 2032.69±2, 2039.29±2, 2043.12±2, 2045.68±2, 2051.76±2, 2059.05±2, 2062.98±2, 2066.09±2, 2074.03±2, 2075.32±2, 2079.80±2, 2083.74±2, 2085.85±2, 2089.53±2, 2092.80±2, 2097.03±2, 2099.42±2, 2111.39±2, 2113.10±2, 2115.77±2, 2120.37±2, 2126.55±2, 2137.63±2, 2139.15±2, 2143.42±2, 2146.46±2, 2149.85±2, 2151.02±2, 2160.22±2, 2161.68±2, 2167.09±2, 2168.75±2, 2173.75±2, 2177.51±2, 2179.25±2, 2185.65±2, 2186.28±2, 2190.18±2, 2191.02±2, 2192.84±2, 2196.47±2, 2199.82±2, 2201.22±2, 2204.02±2, 2207.10±2, 2211.58±2, 2216.77±2, 2218.45±2, 2219.30±2, 2220.56±2, 2222.74±2, 2226.96±2, 2228.22±2, 2231.60±2, 2239.71±2, 2244.01±2, 2251.78±2, 2254.83±2, 2256.53±2, 2261.91±2, 2266.45±2, 2268.58±2, 2274.97±2, 2276.04±2, 2278.67±2, 2281.09±2, 2285.01±2, 2289.43±2, 2290.85±2, 2292.35±2, 2295.92±2, 2296.92±2, 2301.71±2, 2302.50±2, 2303.21±2, 2305.43±2, 2307.22±2, 2314.24±2, 2317.68±2, 2325.30±2, 2341.14±2, 2342.87±2, 2344.45±2, 2351.97±2, 2353.99±2, 2355.29±2, 2357.54±2, 2367.75±2, 2375.59±2, 2378.35±2, 2380.39±2, 2393.64±2, 2402.11±2, 2404.01±2, 2406.49±2, 2412.79±2, 2414.25±2, 2415.20±2, 2416.30±2, 2431.13±2, 2434.36±2, 2438.19±2, 2439.22±2, 2444.37±2, 2451.90±2, 2453.96±2, 2455.44±2, 2456.62±2, 2459.43±2, 2462.31±2, 2464.16±2, 2470.97±2, 2478.17±2, 2479.28±2, 2484.18±2, 2500.40±2, 2502.64±2, 2504.73±2, 2507.42±2, 2509.21±2, 2515.26±2, 2517.43±2, 2519.07±2, 2527.31±2, 2531.06±2, 2532.26±2, 2546.08±2, 2554.96±2, 2559.48±2, 2564.01±2, 2571.26±2, 2578.45±2, 2581.25±2, 2583.37±2, 2584.81±2, 2587.01±2, 2588.90±2, 2593.68±2, 2596.11±2, 2603.33±2, 2608.20±2, 2613.31±2, 2614.91±2, 2622.46±2, 2629.26±2, 2633.69±2, 2634.61±2, 2640.51±2, 2641.73±2, 2652.85±2, 2655.08±2, 2665.15±2, 2670.00±2, 2682.80±2, 2696.41±2, 2698.27±2, 2699.82±2, 3302.01±2, 3303.21±2, 3323.89±2, 3330.34±2, 3337.92±2, 3366.84±2, 3370.39±2, 3378.18±2, 3380.43±2 and 3384.77±2.

That is, the fact that the abundance of a signal peptide specified by any of these molecular weights is greater in the signal peptide profile of a test subject than in the signal peptide profile of a healthy subject reflects a strong likelihood that the test subject suffers from or has developed ALS.

Moreover, in a profile of signal peptides in a bodily fluid from an ALS patient, a signal peptide specified by any of the following molecular weights is less abundant than in the signal peptide profile of a healthy subject:

1497.16±2, 1567.74±2, 1705.53±2, 1819.34±2, 1831.81±2, 1935.52±2, 2055.50±2, 2065.57±2, 2084.36±2, 2092.25±2, 2140.48±2, 2167.78±2, 2184.93±2, 2314.81±2, 2327.73±2, 2697.73±2 and 3309.84±2.

That is, the fact that a signal peptide specified by any of these molecular weights is less abundant in the signal peptide profile of a test subject than in the signal peptide profile of a healthy subject reflects a strong likelihood that the test subject suffers from or has developed ALS.

FIG. 1 shows a typical example of a signal peptide profile of a subject A. As shown in FIG. 1, a signal peptide profile can be represented as a bar graph, with the molecular weights of the signal peptides presumed to be present in the bodily fluid of a subject A shown on the horizontal axis, and the amounts of these signal peptides on the vertical axis.

FIG. 2 displays two signal peptide profiles, the signal peptide profile of the subject A from FIG. 1 together with the signal peptide profile of a subject B, which was determined separately from the signal peptide profile of the subject A. When the signal peptide profile of the subject A and the signal peptide profile of the subject B are in the relationship shown in FIG. 2, the signal peptide profile of the subject A differs from the signal peptide profile of the subject B at molecular weights of 1000, 1200, 1400, 1600 and 1700. Specifically, the signal peptides specified by the molecular weights 1000 and 1700 are more abundant in the signal peptide profile of the subject A than in the signal peptide profile of the subject B, while the signal peptides specified by the molecular weights 1200, 1400 and 1600 are less abundant in the signal peptide profile of the subject A than in the signal peptide profile of the subject B.

In the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here, to obtain data about a test subject's suffering from or developing ALS (typically, data suggesting that the test subject suffers from or has developed ALS, such as data showing an increased likelihood that the test subject suffers from or has developed ALS), it is sufficient to compare the signal peptide profile of the test subject with the signal peptide profile of a healthy subject, and confirm at least one difference at the aforementioned specific molecular weights (typically, an increase or decrease in the abundance of at least one of the signal peptides specified by the specific molecular weights). From the standpoint of obtaining data for determining more reliably (with greater accuracy) whether a test subject suffers from ALS, it is desirable to confirm that the signal peptide of the test subject differs from the signal peptide profile of a healthy subject at multiple (2 or 3 or more, or preferably at least 10, or more preferably at least 20) molecular weights selected from the aforementioned specific molecular weights (typically, that the signal peptides specified by these specific molecular weights are more or less abundant than in a healthy subject).

A profile of signal peptides in a bodily fluid can be determined by a known method (qualitative measurement method) capable of confirming the presence or absence of signal peptides specified by the target molecular weights. Preferably, it is determined by a method (quantitative measurement method) capable of measuring the amounts of the signal peptides specified by the target molecular weights.

In a preferred embodiment, the signal peptide profile is determined by analysis using a mass spectrometer. That is, this signal peptide profile is preferably determined by mass spectrometry. Typically, a signal peptide profile can be determined efficiently by mass spectrometry because multiple signal peptides can be analyzed simultaneously.

A mass spectrum of signal peptides present in a bodily fluid can be obtained by using mass spectrometry to measure a bodily fluid subject to analysis. This mass spectrum is a spectrum obtained by isolating the signal peptides present in the bodily fluid according to their mass to charge ratios (m/z), and can be used as the aforementioned signal peptide profile.

The mass spectrometry is not particularly limited, and may be selected appropriately from the conventional mass spectrometry methods of LC-MS (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry), ESI-MS (electrospray ionization mass spectrometry) and MALDI-TOFMS (matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry). In other words, the ionization methods and ion detection methods in mass spectrometry are not particularly limited. For example, the conventional methods of EI (electron ionization), CI (chemical ionization), FAB (fast atom bombardment), ESI (electrospray ionization), APCI (atmospheric pressure chemical ionization), ICP (inductively coupled plasma) and MALDI (matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization) can be selected appropriately as ionization methods. For the method of detecting the ionized molecules, a conventional detection method such as magnetic sector, quadrupole (Q), ion trap (IT), Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR), accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) or time-of-flight (TOF) detection or a tandem method combining these detection methods can be selected appropriately.

In an especially preferred embodiment, analysis is performed by mass spectrometry using MALDI (matrix assisted laser desorptionlionization) (hereunder also called MALDI MS). With MALDI MS, it is typically possible to analyze large molecules that are difficult to ionize (for example, biological molecules such as proteins and peptides). Moreover, MALDI MS is also suited to analyzing signal peptides in a bodily fluid because it is typically capable of analyzing micro samples and samples with low purity in many cases. In mass spectrometry using MALDI, the ionized molecules are typically analyzed (detected) by time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS). That is, MALDI-TOFMS can preferably be adopted for mass spectrometry.

When signal peptides in a bodily fluid are analyzed by such MALDI MS (typically MALDI-TOFMS), the bodily fluid is preferably immobilized on a thermoplastic resin. The signal peptides typically tend to have low ionization efficiency because they are often highly hydrophobic molecules having many hydrophobic amino acids. Ionization of the signal peptides can be promoted by immobilizing them on a thermoplastic resin. Moreover, immobilizing the bodily fluid on a thermoplastic resin can improve the accuracy of signal peptide analysis because it can suppress ionization of contaminants contained in the bodily fluid.

A conventional known resin material can be used as the thermoplastic resin for immobilizing the bodily fluid, without any particular limitations. For example, a resin material made primarily of a polyolefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene, an acrylic resin such as polymethyl methacrylate, an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin (EVA), a polyvinyl chloride resin or a polyester resin can be used. To promote ionization of the signal peptides while suppressing ionization of contaminants, an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin can be used by preference.

In a preferred embodiment, the bodily fluid to be analyzed is immobilized on a thermoplastic resin that has been molded into a film shape or sheet shape (typically, a thermoplastic film). The thickness of this thermoplastic resin film is not particularly limited, but may be about 50 μm to 200 μm (typically about 100 μm) for example.

The matrix used when analyzing signal peptides in a bodily fluid by the MALDI MS (typically MALDI-TOFMS) method is not particularly limited, and a conventional known matrix used in mass spectrometry by MALDI may be selected appropriately. Examples include sinapinic acid (3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxycinnamic acid), CHCA (α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid), ferulic acid (trans-4-hydroxy-3-methoxvcinnamic acid), gentisic acid. DHBA (2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid), HPA (3-hydroxypicolinic acid), dithranol (1,8-dihydroxy-9,10-dihydroanthracen-9-one) and the like. Sinapinic acid is suitable as a matrix in mass spectrometry of high molecular weight molecules, and is also a suitable matrix for mass spectrometry of peptides and proteins. Consequently, sinapinic acid can be used favorably as a matrix in mass spectrometry of signal peptides.

In a preferred embodiment, multiple mass spectrometric analyses are repeatedly performed independently of one another on the target bodily fluid. Signal peptides contained in a bodily fluid can be accurately assayed by statistically processing the results of such multiple mass spectrometric analyses.

For example, the abundance of a signal peptide present in a bodily fluid can be confirmed by calculating the frequency with which the presence of the target signal peptide is detected in multiple mass spectrometric analyses (detection frequency), and taking this frequency, as the quantitative value of the signal peptide. Alternatively, in cases in which the target signal peptide can be quantified by a single mass spectrometric analysis, an average value or median value calculated from the results (quantitative values) of multiple mass spectrometric analyses can be used favorably as the quantitative value of the signal peptide.

Because the accuracy of the assay is greater the more times mass spectrometry is repeated, mass spectrometry is preferably repeated at least 50 times for example (preferably at least 100 times, or more preferably at least 200 times, or still more preferably at least 300) times).

For example, the abundance of a signal peptide in a bodily fluid can be confirmed by the following methods when MALDI MS is adopted as the method of mass spectrometry.

First, the bodily fluid to be analyzed is exposed multiple times (such as at least 50 times, or preferably at least 100 times, or more preferably at least 200 times, or still more preferably at least 300 times) to an ionizing laser. Mass spectrometry (preferably TOFMS) is performed for each laser exposure, and the presence (detection) or absence of a molecule of the target molecular weight (that is, a signal peptide of the target molecular weight) is confirmed. The frequency with which a molecule of the target molecular weight is detected (detection frequency) in these multiple MALDI MS analyses is then calculated, and this frequency is given as the abundance of the signal peptide to thereby confirm the abundance of the target signal peptide.

In another preferred embodiment, the signal peptide profile may be determined by immunological methods. Typically, immunological methods are methods in which the amount of an antigen is assessed by performing an antigen-antibody reaction between an antigen (or fragment thereof) and an antibody that reacts specifically with that antigen to thereby form an immune complex, and detecting (imaging) the antibody. That is, the signal peptide profile can be determined by methods using antibodies that react specifically with the target signal peptides or fragments thereof.

A conventional known method may be adopted as the immunological method without any particular limitations as long as it can detect the target signal peptide Examples include EIA, radioimmunoassay (RIA), fluorescence immunoassay (FIA), chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA), gel precipitation reaction, immunoturbidimetric methods, particle agglutination reaction methods and the like.

Either a method (direct method) using an antibody that has been somehow labeled in advance (labeled primary antibody) or a method (indirect method) using a labeled secondary antibody that specifically recognizes an antibody (that is, primary antibody) to the signal peptide may be used favorably as the immunological method.

A labeling compound commonly used by those skilled m the art in the field of diagnosis by immunological methods such as ELISA may be used as the labeling substance for the antibody (primary antibody or secondary antibody). Examples include radioactive isotopes such as ³H, ¹⁴C, ¹³¹I and ⁹⁹mTc; enzymes such as β-galactosidase, β-glucosidase, alkaline phosphatase, peroxidase and malate dehydrogenase; fluorescent substances such as fluorescamine and fluorescein isothiocyanate; and luminescent substances such as luciferin, luminol derivatives, isoluminol derivatives and the like.

Labeling of the antibody with these labeling substances can be accomplished by conventional known methods, and detailed explanations are omitted because these methods are not a feature of the present invention.

The antibody used in the immunological method may be any capable of detecting the target signal peptide, without any particular limitations. For example, it may be a monoclonal antibody, polyclonal antibody, single chain antibody, chimera antibody or the like. The immune animal (antibody-producing animal, host, source) and constant domain of the immunoglobulin (also called the isotype or class) are also not particularly limited. For example, the antibody may be obtained by immunizing a mouse, rat, rabbit, horse, cow, goat, sheep, pig or the like, and may be any of IgG, IgM, IgA, IgE and IgD (preferably IgG).

These antibodies may be prepared by conventional known methods, and detailed explanations are omitted because these methods are not a feature of the present invention.

A composition, kit or protein array (typically a protein microarray) containing an antibody capable of detecting a target signal peptide is also provided by another aspect of the present invention.

The profile of signal peptides contained in a bodily fluid from a healthy subject may be any profile of signal peptides in a bodily fluid collected from at least one healthy subject who does not suffer from and has not developed ALS. However the profiles of signal peptides in bodily fluids are subject to differences among individuals (individual differences) even among healthy subjects. Consequently, the profile of signal peptides contained in a bodily fluid from a healthy subject is preferably determined comprehensively from the profiles of signal peptides contained in bodily fluids from multiple (2 or 3 or more, or preferably at least 5, or more preferably at least 10) healthy subjects.

This profile of signal peptides in a bodily fluid from a healthy subject is preferably determined by methods similar to those used to determine the signal peptide profile of the test subject.

In the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here, the signal peptide profile of the test subject and the signal peptide profile of the healthy subject can be compared by comparing at least one of the aforementioned specific molecular weights at which deviations from the profile of signal peptides in a bodily fluid from a healthy subject indicate that a test subject suffers from or has developed ALS.

Data about the likelihood (typically, an increase or decrease in the likelihood) that a test subject suffers from or has developed ALS can be obtained more reliably (accurately) if more molecular weights that are among the specific molecular weights at which deviations from the profile of signal peptides in a bodily fluid from a healthy subject indicate that a test subject suffers from or has developed ALS are included in the signal peptide profile of the test subject in comparison with the signal peptide profile of the healthy subject. That is, preferably the signal peptide profile of the test subject and the signal peptide profile of the healthy subject are compared with respect to 2 or 3 or more (preferably at least 10, or more preferably at least 20) of the specific molecular weights at which deviations from the profile of signal peptides in a bodily fluid from a healthy subject indicate that a test subject suffers from or has developed ALS.

In the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here, when the signal peptide profile of a test subject and the signal peptide profile of a healthy subject are compared with a focus on specific molecular weights, the likelihood that the test subject suffers from or has developed ALS (typically, an increase in such likelihood) can be indicated with greater accuracy the greater the frequency of differences at the specific molecular weights being compared.

That is, from the standpoint of obtaining more reliable (accurate) data about the likelihood that a test subject suffers from or has developed ALS (typically, an increase in such likelihood), it is desirable to confirm that the signal peptide profile of the test subject and the signal peptide profile of the healthy subject differ at 60% or more (preferably at least 70%, or more preferably at least 80%, or still more preferably at least 95%) of the specific molecular weights that are compared when comparing the signal peptide profile of the test subject with the signal peptide profile of the healthy subject.

Second Embodiment

The inventors compared and studied the profiles of signal peptides contained in bodily fluids from ALS patients and the profiles of signal peptides contained in bodily fluids from healthy subjects in more detail. We then found that the presence and absence and degree of abundance of specific signal peptides (that is, ALS-associated signal peptides) were different in bodily fluids from ALS patients and healthy subjects. We then perfected a method for aiding ALS detection using such a specific signal peptide (that is, ALS-associated signal peptide) as an indicator.

That is, in the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here as the second embodiment, the presence of a difference between the presence or absence or degree of abundance of the ALS-associated signal peptide in a bodily fluid from a test subject and the presence or absence of the same ALS-associated signal peptide in a bodily fluid from a healthy subject or a reference level set for degree of abundance thereof is associated with the test subject's suffering from or developing ALS (typically, the difference suggests that the test subject suffers from or has developed ALS, by for example indicating an increased likelihood that the test subject suffers from or has developed ALS).

Specifically, the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here as the second embodiment includes:

(i) testing whether one or two or more ALS signal peptides are present in a bodily fluid from a test subject, or testing the degree of abundance of the ALS-associated signal peptide or peptides when present.

In this method for aiding ALS detection, the molecular weight of the ALS-associated signal peptide is.

1405.71±2, 1406.49±2, 1409.40±2, 1410.97±2, 1418.70±2, 1426.68±2, 1437.62±2, 1445.77±2, 1451.61±2, 1456.44±2, 1458.88±2, 1466.24±2, 1468.86±2, 1472.12±2, 1476.87±2, 1482.60±2, 1493.58±2, 1495.42±2, 1496.52±2, 1497.16±2, 1498.88±2, 1502.402, 1505.52±2, 1508.76±2, 1510.50±2, 1516.64±2, 1521.93±2, 1529.32±2, 1530.37±2, 1533.52±2, 1539.36±2, 1544.22±2, 1553.72±2, 1555.72±2, 1560.24±2, 1566.20±2, 1567.20±2, 1567.74±2, 1575.70±2, 1578.07±2, 1580.91±2, 1589.58±2, 1592.55±2, 1597.25±2, 1608.53±2, 1609.36±2, 1610.62±2, 1616.12±2, 1629.15±2, 1639.39±2, 1640.36±2, 1646.58±2, 1655.72±2, 1657.97±2, 1659.24±2, 1660.46±2, 1662.16±2, 1679.09±2, 1682.54±2, 1683.12±2, 1687.34±2, 1688.14±2, 1691.08±2, 1691.75±2, 1694.76±2, 1695.74±2, 1700.65±2, 1702.19±2, 1705.53±2, 1708.77±2, 1712.10±2, 1714.63±2, 1715.56±2, 1719.51±2, 1721.61±2, 1726.31±2, 1737.85±2, 1739.71±2, 1743.69±2, 1761.79±2, 1769.93±2, 1774.13±2, 1775.70±2, 1786.39±2, 1788.03±2, 1790.80±2, 1796.23±2, 1797.49±2, 1800.34±2, 1801.79±2, 1804.45±2, 1810.72±2, 1812.31±2, 1813.77±2, 1817.26±2, 1818.66±2, 1819.34±2, 1819.93±2, 1821.71±2, 1822.73±2, 1829.48±2, 1831.81±2, 1832.41±2, 1836.18±2, 1837.33±2, 1840.84±2, 1849.81±2, 1854.68±2, 1858.34±2, 1864.19±2, 1866.06±2, 1875.28±2, 1876.50±2, 1878.25±2, 1890.21±2, 1891.32±2, 1893.00±2, 1904.69±2, 1911.46±2, 1913.68±2, 1916.02±2, 1919.35±2, 1927.13±2, 1931.84±2, 1934.86±2, 1935.52±2, 1936.83±2, 1937.87±2, 1941.22±2, 1944.97±2, 1948.39±2, 1952.47±2, 1957.80±2, 1962.82±2, 1969.82±2, 1972.54±2, 1975.58±2, 1976.51±2, 1977.70±2, 1979.29±2, 1988.46±2, 1991.91±2, 1995.37±2, 2009.91±2, 2011.18±2, 2013.86±2, 2023.97±2, 2027.73±2, 2030.95±2, 2032.69±2, 2039.29±2, 2043.12±2, 2045.68±2, 2051.76±2, 2055.50±2, 2059.05±2, 2062.98±2, 2065.57±2, 2066.09±2, 2074.03±2, 2075.32±2, 2079.80±2, 2083.74±2, 2084.36±2, 2085.85±2, 2089.53±2, 2092.25±2, 2092.80±2, 2097.03±2, 2099.42±2, 2111.39±2, 2113.10±2, 2115.77±2, 2120.37±2, 2126.55±2, 2137.63±2, 2139.15±2, 2140.48±2, 2143.42±2, 2146.46±2, 2149.85±2, 2151.02±2, 2160.22±2, 2161.68±2, 2167.09±2, 2167.78±2, 2168.75±2, 2173.75±2, 2177.51±2, 2179.25±2, 2184.93±2, 2185.65±2, 2186.28±2, 2190.18±2, 2191.02±2, 2192.84±2, 2196.47±2, 2199.82±2, 2201.22±2, 2204.02±2, 2207.10±2, 2211.58±2, 2216.77±2, 2218.45±2, 2219.30±2, 2220.56±2, 2222.74±2, 2226.96±2, 2228.22±2, 2231.60±2, 2239, 71±2, 2244.01±2, 2251.78±2, 2254.83±2, 2256.53±2, 2261.91±2, 2266.45±2, 2268.58±2, 2274.97±2, 2276.04±2, 2278.67±2, 2281.09±2, 2285.01±2, 2289.43±2, 2290.85±2, 2292.35±2, 2295.92±2, 2296.92±2, 2301.71±2, 2302.50±2, 2303.21±2, 2305.43±2, 2307.22±2, 2314.24±2, 2314.81±2, 2317.68±2, 2325.30±2, 2327.73±2, 2341.14±2, 2342.87±2, 2344.45±2, 2351.97±2, 2353.99±2, 2355.29±2, 2357.54±2, 2367.75±2, 2375.59±2, 2378.35±2, 2380.39±2, 2393.64±2, 2402.11±2, 2404.01±2, 2406.49±2, 2412.79±2, 2414.25±2, 2415.20±2, 2416.30±2, 2431.13±2, 2434.36±2, 2438.19±2, 2439.22±2, 2444.37±2, 2451.90±2, 2453.96±2, 2455.44±2, 2456.62±2, 2459.43±2, 2462.31±2, 2464.16±2, 2470.97±2, 2478.17±2, 2479.28±2, 2484.18±2, 2500.40±2, 2502.64±2, 2504.73±2, 2507.42±2, 2509.21±2, 2515.26±2, 2517.43±2, 2519.07±2, 2527.31±2, 2531.06±2, 2532.26±2, 2546.08±2, 2554.96±2, 2559.48±2, 2564.01±2, 2571.26±2, 2578.45±2, 2581.25±2, 2583.37±2, 2584.81±2, 2587.01±2, 2588.90±2, 2593.68±2, 2596.11±2, 2603.33±2, 2608.20±2, 2613.31±2, 2614.91±2, 2622.46±2, 2629.26±2, 2633.69±2, 2634.61±2, 2640.51±2, 2641.73±2, 2652.85±2, 2655.08±2, 2665.15±2, 2670.00±2, 2682.80±2, 2696.41±2, 2697.73±2, 2698.27±2, 2699.82±2, 3302.01±2, 3303.21±2, 3309.84±2, 3323.89±2, 3330.34±2, 3337.92±2, 3366.84±2, 3370.39±2, 3378.18±2, 3380.43±2 or 3384.77±2.

The signal peptides specified by these molecular weights are signal peptides the presence or absence or degree of abundance of which in bodily fluids from ALS patients has been confirmed by the inventors to differ from the presence or absence or reference levels set based on degree of abundance of the same signal peptides in bodily fluids from healthy subjects.

A typical example of the ALS-associated signal peptide disclosed here is a signal peptide comprising any of the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID Nos: 1 to 1580.

In the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here as the second embodiment, the presence or absence and degree of abundance of the ALS-associated signal peptide can be tested by methods similar to those used to determine the profile of signal peptides in a bodily fluid in the first embodiment. Consequently, detailed explanations of these testing methods are omitted.

The reference level can be set based on test results obtained by testing the presence or absence, or the degree of abundance when present, of the target signal peptide in a bodily fluid collected from at least one healthy subject who does not suffer from (has not developed) ALS. However, the presence or absence (or abundance) of target signal peptides m bodily fluids is subject to differences among individuals (individual differences) even among healthy subjects. Consequently, the reference level is preferably determined comprehensively based on the results of testing of bodily fluids from multiple (2 or 3 or more, or preferably at least 5, or more preferably at least 10) healthy subjects.

The methods for testing the bodily fluids collected from the healthy subjects are preferably similar to those used to test the presence or absence or degree of abundance of the ALS-associated signal peptide in a bodily fluid from a test subject.

When one healthy subject is tested as a control, the reference level can be determined using the test results from the single healthy subject as the reference level.

When multiple healthy subjects are tested as control subjects, on the other hand, the reference level can be determined by appropriate statistical processing of the test results from the multiple healthy subjects. The methods of this statistical processing are not particularly limited. For example, the average (or median) of the test results from multiple healthy subjects can be calculated, and this average (or median) value can be set as the upper or lower limit of the reference level. Alternatively, the value of a predetermined multiple of the average (or median) value can be set as the upper or lower limit of the reference level. For example, a multiple of 1.5 times, 2 times, 3 times or 5 times the average (or median value) or a multiple of 0.8 times, or 0.5 times, or 0.3 times the average (or median) value can be the upper or lower limit of the reference level.

Alternatively, a suitable numerical range that includes the average (or median) value can also be set as the reference level. For example, a statistical tolerance range or a range of predetermined multiples can be set as the reference level, or a range up to a number 1 times, or 1.5 times, or 2 times, or 3 times, or 5 times the standard deviation (or standard error) from the average (or median) value can be set as the reference level. A numerical range of ±10%, or ±20%, or ±30%, or ±40%, or ±50% or ±60% of the average (or median) value can also be set as the reference level for example.

A suitable cutoff (or threshold) value can also be calculated and used as the reference level. This cutoff (or threshold) value can be set at a value at which an ALS patient can be distinguished from a healthy patient with a predetermined sensitivity and/or specificity (such as at least 50%, or at least 60%, or at least 70%, or at least 80%, or at least 90%, or at least 95%, or at least 98%). This cutoff (or threshold) value can be calculated by conventional known statistical methods, and can be determined at will from a comparison of the abundance distributions of the signal peptide in a healthy subject group and an ALS patient group.

For example, it can be set using an ROC curve (receiver operating characteristic curve). An ROC curve is a graph showing the ALS detection sensitivity on the vertical axis and the false positive rate (that is. “l-specificity”) on the horizontal axis. To set the cutoff value, an appropriate reference value is set for the abundance of the target signal peptide, and an ROC curve can then be obtained by continuously varying this reference value and plotting the resulting changes in the sensitivity and false-positive rate. A value that can be expected to yield the desired sensitivity and specificity can then be set as the cutoff value based on the resulting ROC curve.

“Sensitivity” in an ALS patient group means the rate (true positive rate) at which the ALS patient group is judged as positive when the abundance of a signal peptide is set to a predetermined value (the reference value), while “specificity” in a healthy subject group means the rate (true negative rate) at which the healthy subject group is judged as negative when the abundance of a signal peptide is set to a predetermined value (the reference value).

Alternatively, the 5th percentile value (preferably the 1st percentile value) or the 95th percentile value (preferably 99th percentile value) of the abundance of the signal peptide in the healthy subject group or ALS patient group can be set as the cutoff value.

In the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here, data about a test subject's suffering from or developing ALS (typically, data suggesting that the test subject suffers from or has developed ALS, such as data regarding the likelihood that the test subject suffers from or has developed ALS) can be obtained by testing the presence or absence or degree of abundance of at least one kind of ALS-associated signal peptide in a bodily fluid from the test subject. From the standpoint of improving the reliability (typically accuracy) of the data obtained by this method, it is desirable to test for 2 or 3 or more, or preferably at least 10, or still more preferably at least 20 ALS-associated signal peptides. When testing for multiple ALS-associated signal peptides, moreover, the molecular weights of these ALS-associated signal peptides preferably differ by at least 3 (more preferably by at least 5) from each other.

In the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here, the presence of a difference between the test results for at least one kind of tested ALS-associated signal peptide (that is, difference in the presence or absence of the ALS-associated signal peptide in a bodily fluid from a test subject, or in the abundance of the signal peptide in a bodily fluid from a test subject) and the reference level of that ALS-associated signal peptide is associated with the test subject's suffering from or developing ALS (typically, suggests that the test subject suffers from or has developed ALS).

That is, in a preferred embodiment of the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here the results of a test of a bodily fluid from the test subject (that is, presence or absence of one or two or more ALS-associated signal peptides m the bodily fluid from the test subject, or degree of abundance when such ALS-associated signal peptides are present) are compared with the reference levels of the corresponding ALS-associated signal peptides.

In the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here, the likelihood that the test subject suffers from or has developed ALS (typically, an increase in this likelihood) is indicated more reliably (accurately) the greater the frequency with which the degree of abundance (or presence or absence) of these ALS-associated signal peptides in the bodily fluid from the test subject differs from the reference levels when the results of a test of the bodily fluid from the test subject are compared with the reference levels of the corresponding ALS-associated signal peptides.

That is, from the standpoint of obtaining highly reliable (highly accurate) data about the likelihood that a test subject suffers from or has developed ALS (typically, an increase in this likelihood), it is desirable to confirm that at least 60% (preferably at least 70%, or more preferably at least 80%, or still more preferably at least 95%) of the tested ALS-associated signal peptides differ from the reference levels for those signal peptides.

In other words, in the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here the likelihood that a test subject does not suffer from or has not developed ALS (typically, a decrease in the likelihood that the test subject suffers from or has developed ALS) is indicated more reliably (accurately) the lower the frequency with which the degree of abundance (or presence or absence) of these ALS-associated signal peptides in the bodily fluid from the test subject differs from the reference levels when the results of a test of the bodily fluid from the test subject are compared with the reference levels of the corresponding ALS-associated signal peptides.

That is, from the standpoint of obtaining highly reliable (high accurate) data about the likelihood that a test subject does not suffer from and has not developed ALS (typically, a decrease in the likelihood that the test subject suffers from or has developed ALS), it is desirable to confirm that at least 60% (preferably at least 70%, or more preferably at least 80%, or still more preferably at least 95%) of the tested ALS-associated signal peptides are within the reference levels for those signal peptides.

In a preferred embodiment of the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here, at least any of the ALS-associated signal peptides having the molecular weights 1502.40±2, 1521.93±2, 1629.15±2, 1682.54±2, 1691.75±2, 1705.53±2, 1821.71±2, 1836.18±2, 1948.39±2, 2011.18±2, 2092.80±2, 2099.42±2, 2177.51±2, 2179.25±2, 2186.28±2, 2211.58±2, 2226.96±2, 2254.83±2, 2278.67±2, 2290.85±2, 2292.35±2, 2502.64±2, 2640.51±2, 2698.27±2 and 3330.34±2 is tested as an ALS-associated signal peptide. More preferably, at least any of the ALS-associated signal peptides comprising the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID Nos: 1 to 180 is tested. In other words, preferred ALS-associated signal peptides for testing by the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here include at least any of the ALS-associated signal peptides having molecular weights of 1629.17±2, 1767.38±2, 1900.43±2, 1933.29±2, 1966.96±2, 1996.12±2, 2187.30±2, 2196.08±2, 2196.64±2 and 2240.20±2 (preferably, at least any of the ALS-associated signal peptides comprising the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID Nos: 1 to 180).

These ALS-associated signal peptides are ALS-associated signal peptides the presence or absence or degree of abundance of which in bodily fluids from ALS patients has been confirmed by the inventors to be dramatically different from the reference levels. Consequently, the reliability (typically accuracy) of data obtained by the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here (that is, data associated with a test subject's suffering from or developing ALS, typically data suggesting that the test subject suffers from or has developed ALS, such as data regarding the likelihood that the test subject suffers from or has developed ALS) can be improved by testing the presence or absence or degree of abundance when present of at least one kind (preferably 2 or 3 or more kinds, or more preferably at least 5 kinds, or still more preferably at least 10 kinds) of these ALS-associated signal peptides in a bodily fluid from a test subject.

In a preferred embodiment of the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here, the abundance of a signal peptide capable of distinguishing ALS patients from healthy subjects with high sensitivity and/or high specificity is tested. For example, preferably the AUC (area under the curve) of the ROC curves is calculated, and the abundance of a signal peptide with a large AUC is tested (that is, the abundance of that signal peptide is compared with the reference level thereof). The AUC is the area under the ROC curve, and it is known that indicators with greater AUCs are better indicators for detecting diseases with high diagnostic ability (predictive ability).

In a preferred embodiment of the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here, specific ALS-associated signal peptides are tested to confirm that the degree of abundance of those signal peptides in a bodily fluid from a test subject is higher than the reference levels. These specific ALS-associated signal peptides, the abundance of which in a bodily fluid from a test subject is tested to confirm that it is higher than the reference levels, are also called “ALS positive signal peptides” below.

These ALS positive signal peptides are typically the ALS-associated signal peptides specified by the molecular weights:

1405.71±2, 1406.49±2, 1409.40±2, 1410.97±2, 1418.70±2, 1426.68±2, 1437.62±2, 1445.77±2, 1451.61±2, 1456.44±2, 1458.88±2, 1466.24±2, 1468.86±2, 1472.12±2, 1476.87±2, 1482.60±2, 1493.58±2, 1495.42±2, 1496.52±2, 1498.88±2, 1502.40±2, 1505.52±2, 1508.76±2, 1510.50±2, 1516.64±2, 1521.93±2, 1529.32±2, 1530.37±2, 1533.52±2, 1539.36±2, 1544.22±2, 1553.72±2, 1555.72±2, 1560.24±2, 1566.20±2, 1567.20±2, 1575.70±2, 1578.07±2, 1580.91±2, 1589.58±2, 1592.55±2, 1597.25±2, 1608.53±2, 1609.36±2, 1610.62±2, 1616.12±2, 1629.15±2, 1639.39±2, 1640.36±2, 1646.58±2, 1655.72±2, 1657.97±2, 1659.24±2, 1660.46±2, 1662.16±2, 1679.09±2, 1682.54±2, 1683.12±2, 1687.34±2, 1688.14±2, 1691.08±2, 1691.75±2, 1694.76±2, 1695.74±2, 1700.65±2, 1702.19±2, 1708.77±2, 1712.10±2, 1714.63±2, 1715.56±2, 1719.51±2, 1721.61±2, 1726.31±2, 1737.85±2, 1739.71±2, 1743.69±2, 1761.79±2, 1769.93±2, 1774.13±2, 1775.70±2, 1786.39±2, 1788.03±2, 1790.80±2, 1796.23±2, 1797.49±2, 1800.34±2, 1801.79±2, 1804.45±2, 1810.72±2, 1812.3±21, 1813.77±2, 1817.26±2, 1818.66±2, 1819.93±2, 1821.71±2, 1822.73±2, 1829.48±2, 1832.41±2, 1836.18±2, 1837.33±2, 1840.84±2, 1849.81±2, 1854.68±2, 1858.34±2, 1864.19±2, 1866.06±2, 1875.28±2, 1876.50±2, 1878.25±2, 1890.21±2, 1891.32±2, 1893.00±2, 1904.69±2, 1911.46±2, 1913.68±2, 1916.02±2, 1919.35±2, 1927.13±2, 1931.84±2, 1934.86±2, 1936.83±2, 1937.87±2, 1941.22±2, 1944.97±2, 1948.39±2, 1952.47±2, 1957.80±2, 1962.82±2, 1969.82±2, 1972.54±2, 1975.58±2, 1976.51±2, 1977.70±2, 1979.29±2, 1988.46±2, 1991.91±2, 1995.37±2, 2009.91±2, 2011.18±2, 2013.86±2, 2023.97±2, 2027.73±2, 2030.95±2, 2032.69±2, 2039.29±2, 2043.12±2, 2045.68±2, 2051.76±2, 2059.05±2, 2062.98±2, 2066.09±2, 2074.03±2, 2075.32±2, 2079.80±2, 2083.74±2, 2085.85±2, 2089.53±2, 2092.80±2, 2097.03±2, 2099.42±2, 2111.39±2, 2113.10±2, 2115.77±2, 2120.37±2, 2126.55±2, 2137.63±2, 2139.15±2, 2143.42±2, 2146.46±2, 2149.85±2, 2151.02±2, 2160.22±2, 2161.68±2, 2167.09±2, 2168.75±2, 2173.75±2, 2177.51±2, 2179.25±2, 2185.65±2, 2186.28±2, 2190.18±2, 2191.02±2, 2192.84±2, 2196.47±2, 2199.82±2, 2201.22±2, 2204.02±2, 2207.10±2, 2211.58±2, 2216.77±2, 2218.45±2, 2219.30±2, 2220.56±2, 2222.74±2, 2226.96±2, 2228.22±2, 2231.60±2, 2239.71±2, 2244.01±2, 2251.78±2, 2254.83±2, 2256.53±2, 2261.91±2, 2266.45±2, 2268.58±2, 2274.97±2, 2276.04±2, 2278.67±2, 2281.09±2, 2285.01±2, 2289.43±2, 2290.85±2, 2292.35±2, 2295.92±2, 2296.92±2, 2301.71±2, 2302.50±2, 2303.21±2, 2305.43±2, 2307.22±2, 2314.24±2, 2317.68±2, 2325.30±2, 2341.14±2, 2342.87±2, 2344.45±2, 2351.97±2, 2353.99±2, 2355.29±2, 2357.54±2, 2367.75±2, 2375.59±2, 2378.35±2, 2380.39±2, 2393.64±2, 2402.11±2, 2404.01±2, 2406.49±2, 2412.79±2, 2414.25±2, 2415.20±2, 2416.30±2, 2431.13±2, 2434.36±2, 2438.19±2, 2439.22±2, 2444.37±2, 2451.90±2, 2453.96±2, 2455.44±2, 2456.62±2, 2459.43±2, 2462.31±2, 2464.16±2, 2470.97±2, 2478.17±2, 2479.28±2, 2484.18±2, 2500.40±2, 2502.64±2, 2504.73±2, 2507.42±2, 2509.21±2, 2515.26±2, 2517.43±2, 2519.07±2, 2527.31±2, 2531.06±2, 2532.26±2, 2546.08±2, 2554.96±2, 2559.48±2, 2564.01±2, 2571.26±2, 2578.45±2, 2581.25±2, 2583.37±2, 2584.81±2, 2587.01±2, 2588.90±2, 2593.68±2, 2596.11±2, 2603.33±2, 2608.20±2, 2613.31±2, 2614.91±2, 2622.46±2, 2629.26±2, 2633.69±2, 2634.61±2, 2640.51±2, 2641.73±2, 2652.85±2, 2655.08±2, 2665.15±2, 2670.00±2, 2682.80±2, 2696.41±2, 2698.27±2, 2699.82±2, 3302.01±2, 3303.21±2, 3323.89±2, 3330.34±2, 3337.92±2, 3366.84±2, 3370.39±2, 3378.18±2, 3380.43±2 or 3384.77±2.

In a preferred embodiment, these ALS positive signal peptides comprise any of the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID Nos: 1 to 16, 21 to 27, 29 to 46, 53 to 67, 72 to 87, 94 to 108, 118 to 172, 179 to 243, 248 to 295, 297 to 304, 307 to 317, 320 to 333, 337 to 354, 359 to 422, 424, 425, 430 to 585, 587 to 593, 595 to 605, 607 to 693, 696, 699 to 777, 786 to 902, 906 to 914, 918 to 945, 947 to 983, 990 to 1029, 1042 to 1201, 1208 to 1217, 1230 to 1566, 1569 to 1571 and 1574 to 1580.

These ALS positive signal peptides are a subset of the ALS-associated signal peptides, and are signal peptides the abundance of which in bodily fluids from ALS patients has been confirmed by the inventors to be higher than the reference levels. That is, the fact that the abundance of any ALS positive signal peptide in a bodily fluid from a test subject exceeds the reference level reflects a strong likelihood that the test subject suffers from or has developed ALS.

In a preferred embodiment of the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here, specific ALS-associated signal peptides are tested to confirm that the degree of abundance of those signal peptides in a bodily fluid from a test subject is lower than the reference levels. These specific ALS-associated signal peptides, the abundance of which in a bodily fluid from a test subject is tested to confirm that it is lower than the reference levels, are also called “ALS negative signal peptides” below.

These ALS negative signal peptides are typically the ALS-associated signal peptides specified by the following molecular weights:

1497.16±2, 1567.74±2, 1705.53±2, 1819.34±2, 1831.81±2, 1935.52±2, 2055.50±2, 2065.57±2, 2084.36±2, 2092.25±2, 2140.48±2, 2167.78±2, 2184.93±2, 2314.81±2, 2327.73±2, 2697.73±2 or 3309.84±2.

In a preferred embodiment, these ALS negative signal peptides comprise any of the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID Nos: 68, 69, 296, 357, 429, 903 to 905, 1223 to 1229, 1572 and 1573.

These ALS negative signal peptides are a subset of the ALS-associated signal peptides, and are signal peptides the abundance of which in bodily fluids from ALS patients has been confirmed by the inventors to be lower than the reference levels. That is, the fact that the abundance of any ALS negative signal peptide in a bodily fluid from a test subject is smaller than the reference level reflects a strong likelihood that the test subject suffers from or has developed ALS.

To confirm a strong likelihood that the test subject suffers from or has developed ALS, it is desirable to test the degree of abundance of the ALS positive signal peptides in a bodily fluid from the test subject (or the presence or absence of the ALS positive signal peptides in a bodily fluid from the test subject).

To confirm a strong likelihood that the test subject does not suffer from and has not developed ALS, on the other hand, it is desirable to test the degree of abundance of the ALS negative signal peptides in a bodily fluid from the test subject (or the presence or absence of the ALS negative signal peptides in a bodily fluid from the test subject).

In the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here as the first or second embodiment, the bodily fluid is not particularly limited as long as it is one that can be used as an object of testing in in vitro testing to aid disease detection (diagnosis), and biological samples collected in advance from test subjects, such as cerebrospinal fluid, blood, plasma, serum, lymph fluid, ascites, saliva, synovial fluid, semen, tears, sweat, urine and the like, may be used as is or after being prepared with suitable diluents and the like. It is more desirable to use cerebrospinal fluid, blood, serum or plasma, and cerebrospinal fluid is especially desirable.

The bodily fluid may also be pre-treated in advance to isolate the signal peptides from a biological sample obtained from a test subject (to increase the abundance of the signal peptides).

<Biomarker>

A signal peptide the degree of abundance (or presence or absence) of which in bodily fluids from ALS patients is significantly different from the degree of abundance (or presence or absence) thereof in bodily fluids from healthy subjects, and which can be used to detect (diagnose) ALS by using the degree of abundance of the signal peptide as an indicator, can be used as a biomarker for diagnosing ALS (hereunder also called an ALS biomarker).

“Significantly different” in this Description may mean that the significance level in a statistically significant difference test is 5%. That is, the difference can be judged to be significant if the p value obtained from statistically significant difference testing is p<0.05. Conventional known testing methods such as a t-test (for example, Student's t-test) or U test (Mann-Whitney's U test) may be applied to statistically significant difference testing, with no particular limitations.

The signal peptides designated as ALS-associated signal peptides in the second embodiment of the method for aiding ALS detection (including the ALS positive signal peptides and ALS negative signal peptides) are all signal peptides which have been confirmed by the inventors to have p values of p<0.05 according to a U test (Mann-Whitney's U test) in a comparison of abundance in bodily fluids from ALS patients with abundance in bodily fluids from healthy subjects. Consequently, these ALS-associated signal peptides can be used favorably as ALS biomarkers.

That is, a typical example of the ALS biomarker provided by the present invention is a signal peptide comprising any of the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID Nos: 1 to 1580.

Of these ALS-associated signal peptides, the signal peptides having molecular weights of 1502.40±2, 1521.93±2, 1629.15±2, 1682.54±2, 1691.75±2, 1705.53±2, 1821.71±2, 1836.18±2, 1948.39±2, 2011.18±2, 2092.80±2, 2099.42±2, 2177.51±2, 2179.25±2, 2186.28±2, 2211.58±2, 2226.96±2, 2254.83±2, 2278.67±2, 2290.85±2, 2292.35±2, 2502.64±2, 2640.51±2, 2698.27±2 or 3330.34±2 (typically, signal peptides comprising amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID Nos: 1 to 180) are all signal peptides which have been confirm by the inventors to have p values of p<0.01 according to a U test (Mann-Whitney's U test) in a comparison of abundance in bodily fluids from ALS patients with abundance in bodily fluids from healthy subjects. Consequently, these ALS-associated signal peptides are especially desirable for use as ALS biomarkers.

An ALS positive signal peptide (typically, a signal peptide comprising any of the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID Nos: 1 to 16, 21 to 27, 29 to 46, 53 to 67, 72 to 87, 94 to 108, 118 to 172, 179 to 243, 248 to 295, 297 to 304, 307 to 317, 320 to 333, 337 to 354, 359 to 422, 424, 425, 430 to 585, 587 to 593, 595 to 605, 607 to 693, 696, 699 to 777, 786 to 902, 906 to 914, 918 to 945, 947 to 983, 990 to 1029, 1042 to 1201, 1208 to 1217, 1230 to 1566, 1569 to 1571 and 1574 to 1580) can also be used favorably as a biomarker (hereunder also called a positive biomarker) for which an increase in the abundance of the signal peptide is associated with the onset or development of ALS (typically, suggests the onset or development of ALS, such as for example an increased likelihood of the onset or development of ALS).

Furthermore, an ALS negative signal peptide (typically, a signal peptide comprising any of the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID Nos: 68, 69, 296, 357, 429, 903 to 905, 1223 to 1229, 1572 and 1573) can also be used favorably as a biomarker (hereunder also called a negative biomarker) for which a decrease in the abundance of the signal peptide is associated with the onset or development of ALS (typically, suggests the onset or development of ALS, such as for example an increased likelihood of the onset or development of ALS).

The present invention also provides an artificially synthesized peptide (hereunder also called a synthetic marker peptide) comprising any of the amino acid sequences constituting the aforementioned ALS diagnostic biomarkers.

This synthetic marker peptide can be used favorably as a control (typically a positive control) or a standard substance (typically, as an internal standard substance or external standard substance) in a method for aiding ALS detection. This synthetic marker peptide can also be used favorably for the purpose of calibrating equipment used in a method for aiding ALS detection.

That is, a typical example of the synthetic marker peptide provided by the present invention is an artificially synthesized peptide comprising any of the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID Nos: 1 to 1580.

A synthetic marker peptide comprising any of the amino acid sequences constituting the aforementioned positive biomarkers may also be called a “synthetic positive marker peptide” below. Similarly, a synthetic marker peptide comprising any of the amino acid sequences constituting the aforementioned negative biomarkers may also be called a “synthetic negative marker peptide”.

Moreover, the present invention also provides a peptide set formed of a combination of 2 or 3 or more (preferably at least 5, or more preferably at least 10, or still more preferably at least 20) synthetic marker peptides selected from the synthetic marker peptides disclosed here. The combination of synthetic marker peptides can be selected appropriately so as to correspond to the ALS biomarkers of interest in the method for aiding ALS detection.

This peptide set can be used favorably when multiple signal peptides are of interest simultaneously in the method for aiding ALS detection (or when multiple molecular weights are of interest simultaneously in a signal peptide profile).

The peptide set disclosed here may be a set of peptides selected from the aforementioned synthetic positive marker peptides, or a set of peptides selected from the aforementioned synthetic negative marker peptides.

The peptide set may also be a set of peptides selected from the synthetic marker peptides corresponding to the ALS-associated signal peptides (that is, ALS biomarkers) having molecular weights of 1502.40±2, 1521.93±2, 1629.15±2, 1682.54±2, 1691.75±2, 1705.53±2, 1821.71±2, 1836.18±2, 1948.39±2, 2011.18±2, 2092.80±2, 2099.42±2, 2177.51±2, 2179.25±2, 2186.28±2, 2211.58±2, 2226.96±2, 2254.83±2, 2278.67±2, 2290.85±2, 2292.35±2, 2502.64±2, 2640.51±2, 2698.27±2 or 3330.34±2 (typically, the synthetic marker peptides comprising amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID Nos: 1 to 180).

The peptide set may also be a set of peptides selected from the synthetic marker peptides corresponding to ALS-associated signal peptides (that is, ALS biomarkers) within a specific molecular weight range. That is, it may be a set of peptides selected from the synthetic marker peptides corresponding to ALS-associated signal peptides (that is, ALS biomarkers) having molecular weights of at least 1000 and less than 2000, or at least 2000 and less than 2500, or at least 2500 and less than 3000, or at least 3000 and less than 3500 for example.

The synthetic marker peptides disclosed here can be easily manufactured based on common chemical synthesis methods. For example, either a conventional known solid-phase synthesis method or liquid-phase synthesis method may be adopted. Solid-phase synthesis using Boc (t-butyloxycarbonyl) or Fmoc (9-fluorenylmethyloxvcarbonyl) as the protective group of the amino group is desirable.

For the synthetic marker peptides disclosed here, peptide chains having the desired amino acid sequences and modified (C-terminal amidated, etc.) parts can be synthesized by solid-phase synthesis using a commercial peptide synthesizer (available for example from Intavis AG, Protein Technologies, Inc. or the like).

A synthetic marker peptide can also be synthesized based on genetic engineering techniques. That is, a polynucleotide (typically DNA) having a nucleotide sequence (including ATG initiation codon) coding for the amino acid sequence of a desired synthetic marker peptide is synthesized. A recombinant vector carrying a gene expression construct comprising the synthesized polynucleotide (DNA) together with various regulatory elements for expressing the amino acid sequence in host cells (including promoters, ribosome binding sites, terminators, enhancers, and various cis-elements for controlling the expression level) is then constructed according to the host cells.

This recombinant vector is then introduced into specific host cells (such as yeast, insect or plant cells) by ordinary methods, and the host cells or a tissue or individual organism containing those cells are cultured under specific conditions. The target peptide can thus be expressed and produced in cells. The peptide can then be isolated from the host cells (or from medium when it is excreted), and refolded, purified or the like as necessary to obtain the target synthetic marker peptide.

Methods conventionally used in the field can be adopted as the methods for constructing a recombinant vector and introducing the resulting vector into host cells and the like, and detailed explanations are omitted because these methods themselves are not a particular feature of the present invention.

For example, a fusion protein expression system can be used for efficient and large-scale production in host cells. That is, a gene (DNA) coding for the amino acid sequence of a target synthetic marker peptide is chemically synthesized, and the synthesized gene is introduced into a favorable site of a suitable fusion protein expression vector (for example, the pET series provided by Novagen Inc., and GST (glutathione S-transferase) fusion protein expression vectors such as the pGEX series provided by Amersham Biosciences). Host cells (typically E. coli) are then transformed with the resulting vector. The resulting transformant is cultured to obtain the target fusion protein. Next, the protein is extracted and purified. The resulting purified fusion protein is then cleaved with a specific enzyme (protease), and a released target peptide fragment (designed synthetic marker peptide) is collected by a method such as affinity chromatography. This can also be refolded by suitable methods as necessary. The synthetic marker peptide disclosed here can be manufactured using such a conventional known fusion protein expression system (for example, a GST/His system provided by Amersham Biosciences for example).

Template DNA (that is, a synthetic gene fragment containing a nucleotide sequence coding for the amino acid sequence of a synthetic marker peptide) for use in a cell-free protein synthesis system can also be constructed, and a target polypeptide can be synthesized in vitro with a so-called cell-free protein synthesis system using various compounds necessary for peptide synthesis (ATP, RNA polymerase, amino acids, etc.). The papers of Shimzu et al (Shimizu et al., Nature Biotechnology, 19, 751-755 (2001)) and Madin et al (Madin et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 97(2), 559-564 (2000)) for example may be consulted with respect to cell-free protein synthesis systems. Based on the techniques described in these papers, many companies have already commissioned polypeptide products at the time of filing of this application, and cell-free protein synthesis kits (for example, the PROTEIOS™ Wheat Germ Cell-free Protein Synthesis Kit available from CellFree Sciences Co., Ltd. in Japan) are commercially available.

A single- or double-stranded polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence coding for the synthetic marker peptide disclosed here and/or a nucleotide sequence complementary to that sequence can be easily manufactured (synthesized) by conventional known methods. That is, a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the amino acid sequence of a synthetic marker peptide can be easily determined and provided by selecting codons corresponding to each amino acid residue constituting a designed amino acid sequence. Once the nucleotide sequence has been determined, a (single-stranded) polynucleotide corresponding to the desired nucleotide sequence can then be easily obtained with a DNA synthesizer or the like. Furthermore, the resulting single-stranded DNA can then be used as a template to obtain a target double-stranded DNA by various enzymatic synthesis techniques (typically PCR). Moreover, a polynucleotide may be in the form of either DNA or RNA (mRNA or the like). DNA may be provided in either double-stranded or single-stranded form. In the case of single-stranded DNA, it may be either a coding strand (sense strand) or a non-coding strand (antisense strand) complementary to the sense strand.

As discussed above, the resulting polynucleotide can be used in various host cells and cell-free protein synthesis systems as a material for constructing a recombinant gene (expression cassette) for synthetic marker peptide production.

The synthetic marker peptide disclosed here may also be in the form of a salt. For example, it is possible to use an acid addition salt of the peptide obtained by an addition reaction performed by ordinary methods with a commonly used inorganic or organic acid. Other salts (such as metal salts) are also possible. Thus, the “peptides” described in this Description and in the claims encompass salts of peptides.

<ALS Testing Composition>

The ALS testing composition provided by the present invention includes at least one of the aforementioned synthetic marker peptides. This composition can be used as a control (typically a positive control) or an indicator substance in a method for aiding ALS detection for example. In other words, the present invention provides a comparative composition (typically a positive control composition) and a standard substance composition in a method for aiding ALS detection.

The ALS testing composition disclosed here may contain 2 or 3 or more of the aforementioned synthetic marker peptides. That is, the ALS testing composition may contain the synthetic marker peptide set described above.

Like conventional in vitro diagnostic agents (in vitro testing agents) and peptide preparations, the ALS testing composition disclosed here may contain various components in addition to the synthetic marker peptide that is the principal component. In addition to the synthetic marker peptide, it may normally contain at least one kind of accessory component capable of maintaining the peptide stably (typically, without denaturing or decomposition). This accessory component may differ depending on the use and form (mode of use) of the ALS testing composition, but examples include various pharmacologically (medically) acceptable carriers. A carrier that is commonly used as a diluent, excipient or the like in conventional in vitro diagnostic agents (in vitro testing agents) is preferred.

For example, saline and various pharmacologically acceptable buffers may be included as solvents, or in other words carriers. Typical examples include water, physiological buffers (such as phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)), and various organic solvents. Other examples include aqueous solutions of alcohols (such as ethanol) at suitable concentrations, glycerol, and non-drying oils such as olive oil, as well as liposomes. Various excipients such as sugars (dextrin, lactose, etc.) may also be included. In addition, preservatives, stabilizers, pH adjusters and other agents as well as various fillers, bulking agents, binders, humectants, surfactants, colorants, perfumes and the like may be added as in conventional diagnostic agents and peptide preparations.

The form of the ALS testing composition is not particularly limited. Examples of typical forms include liquids, suspensions, emulsions, aerosols, foams, granules, powders, pills, capsules, ointments, aqueous gels and the like. The composition may also be in the form of a freeze-dried composition or granules that are dissolved in saline or a suitable buffer (such as PBS) before use to prepare a liquid.

The processes for preparing agents (compositions) in various forms using the synthetic marker peptide (principal component) and various carriers (accessory components) may be based on conventional known methods, and detailed explanations are omitted because such preparation methods are not themselves a feature of the present invention. Sources of detailed information about formulations include Comprehensive Medicinal Chemistry, Corwin Hansch Ed., Pergamon Press (1990). The entire contents of this text are incorporated by reference in this Description.

<ALS Testing Kit>

The present invention provides an ALS testing kit for use in a method for aiding ALS detection. This kit includes at least one of the aforementioned synthetic marker peptides.

The ALS testing kit may also comprising 2 or 3 or more of the synthetic marker peptides. That is, the ALS testing kit may include the synthetic marker peptide set described above.

The reagents and instruments included in this kit may be selected appropriately according to the types of testing methods (typically, the methods for analyzing the degree of abundance (or presence or absence) of signal peptides in a bodily fluid, or the methods for determining signal peptide profiles in a bodily fluid) and the detection and measurement equipment (normally a commercial device is used, and suitable chemicals and instruments (substrates, etc.) are selected according to the user's manual). For example, in addition to the synthetic marker peptide and various carriers (including solvents such as saline) constituting the aforementioned ALS testing composition, these may include diluents (typically various buffers) for diluting the synthetic marker peptides or bodily fluid to be measured, and a matrix for MALDI MS and the like.

A preferred embodiment of the ALS testing kit disclosed herein is a kit provided with a plurality of the ALS testing composition, containing mutually different synthetic marker peptides. For example, this may be a kit provided with an ALS testing composition containing at least one of the synthetic positive marker peptides and an ALS testing composition containing at least one of the synthetic negative marker peptides.

A preferred embodiment of the ALS testing kit disclosed here may be provided with a substrate for immobilizing (carrying) the synthetic marker peptide or bodily fluid.

For example, this may be a kit comprising a synthetic marker peptide that has been immobilized (carried) in advance on a substrate. Alternatively, the kit may be provided with a substrate separately from the synthetic marker peptide, and the synthetic marker peptide may be carried (immobilized) on the substrate at the time of use.

The bodily fluid to be measured (that is, a bodily fluid from a test subject) may be immobilized a substrate that is the same as or different from the substrate on which the synthetic marker peptide is immobilized, and either may be selected depending on the detection method.

Typically, the substrate may be made of various polymer compounds (such as agarose and cellulose) and synthetic resins (such as polystyrene, polypropylene and polycarbonate), or a ceramic material such as glass. The substrate may be in the shape of a plate, beads, or a membrane, stick or test tube or the like depending on the intended use, without any particular limitations. The method of carrying (immobilized) the peptide on the substrate may be similar to conventional methods, without any particular limitations. For example, a conventional known physical adsorption method, covalent binding method, ionic binding method, crosslinking method or the like may be adopted.

A kit provided with a substrate having a surface made of thermoplastic resin for immobilizing (carrying) the synthetic marker peptide or bodily fluid (or preferably a substrate made of thermoplastic resin) can be used favorably in a testing method (method for aiding ALS detection) using MALDI MS. In this case, the substrate is preferably in a film, sheet, plate, membrane, stick or chip form. The peptide may then be carried on the substrate by heating and melting the thermoplastic resin.

A preferred embodiment of the ALS testing kit disclosed here is a kit provided with an ALS testing chip comprising at least one of the synthetic marker peptides immobilized (carried) on a film-shaped or plate-shaped substrate. In this substrate, the surface that carries the synthetic marker peptide is made of a thermoplastic resin.

In other words, the present invention provides an ALS testing chip comprising at least one of the synthetic marker peptides immobilized (carried) on a film-shaped or plate-shaped substrate, wherein the surface of the substrate that carries the synthetic marker peptide is made of a thermoplastic resin.

In a preferred embodiment of this ALS testing chip, 2 or 3 or more (preferably at least 5, or more preferably at least 10, or still more preferably at least 20) different synthetic marker peptides are immobilized on the same substrate. Typically, this may include the synthetic marker peptides constituting the synthetic marker peptide set described above, immobilized on the same substrate.

In an ALS testing chip comprising multiple synthetic marker peptides immobilized on the same substrate, the multiple synthetic marker peptides may be immobilized on the same spot on the same substrate, or may be immobilized on different spots independently of one another. For example, the synthetic marker peptides constituting the synthetic marker peptide set described above may all be immobilized together on the same spot.

One preferred example of the ALS testing kit disclosed here is a kit provided with multiple ALS testing chips having different synthetic marker peptides immobilized thereon. For example, this may be a kit provided with an ALS testing chip having at least one of the aforementioned synthetic positive marker peptides immobilized thereon, and an ALS testing chip having at least one of the aforementioned synthetic negative marker peptides immobilized thereon.

Some examples of the present invention are explained below, but the intent is not to limit the invention to what is shown in the examples.

Example 1

Profiles of signal peptides contained in bodily fluids were determined for bodily fluids obtained from a healthy subject group and an ALS patient group. In this example, the signal peptide profiles in the bodily fluids were determined by comprehensive analysis using MALDI-TOFMS. The specific procedures are given below.

In this example, cerebrospinal fluid collected from 5 healthy subjects and cerebrospinal fluid collected from 5 ALS patients (all Hispanic) was used for the samples. Commercial samples were purchased and used for all the cerebrospinal fluid samples. The characteristics (sex, race, disease stage, etc.) of the cerebrospinal fluid donors in each group are shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 ALS patient group Healty subject group Number of subjects 5 5 Age (±SD) 54.6 ± 4.7 76 ± 12.5 Sex (%) Male 3 (60%) 2 (40%) Female 2 (40%) 3 (60%)

Each cerebrospinal fluid sample was mixed with a matrix and immobilized on a substrate.

The cerebrospinal fluid sample and matrix liquid were first mixed at a volume ratio of 1:1. The matrix liquid included sinapinic acid (CHCA) as the matrix, contained at a concentration of 5 mg/mL in a 50 vol % acetonitrile aqueous solution containing 0.1 vol % trifluoracetic acid (0.1% TFA/50% ACN aqueous solution).

The matrix liquid was mixed with the cerebrospinal fluid sample to obtain a mixed matrix-cerebrospinal fluid sample, 2 μL of which was then dropped onto a substrate, and vacuum dried. A measurement plate commonly used in MALDI MS was covered with an EVA film for use as the substrate. That is, in the substrate for immobilizing the bodily fluid in this example the surface for immobilizing the bodily fluid was made of a thermoplastic resin.

The measurement sample thus prepared was subjected to mass spectrometry.

An AXIMA (registered trademark) Performance, manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation was used as the mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOFMS). For the measurement conditions, the laser source was a N2 encapsulated laser (λ=337.1 nm), the acceleration voltage was +20 kV, the delay withdrawal was optimized at m/z 2200, and the flight mode was set to Liner mode. The measurement equipment was calibrated by the external standard method, using Antiotensin 11 (m/z 1046.54), ACTH fragment 18-39 (m/z 2465.20) and Insulin (m/z 5730.61) as the calibrants (calibration standards). Each cerebrospinal fluid sample was exposed 200 times to laser light, and a mass spectrum was obtained for each laser exposure.

The mass spectra obtained separately for each laser exposure were integrated and averaged to obtain a representative mass spectrum for each cerebrospinal fluid sample.

The mass spectra obtained separately for each of the 200 laser exposures were also compared, the number of times that each peak was detected in the 200 mass spectra was integrated, and the integrated value was given as the peak value. That is, if a peak at m/z 1000 was detected 100 times in the 200 mass spectra separately obtained from the 200 laser exposures, the peak value of this peak is 100.

The peaks detected in the representative mass spectrum obtained above reflect the presence of signal peptides corresponding to the miz values of these peaks in the measured cerebrospinal fluid sample. That is, the profile of signal peptides in this cerebrospinal fluid is represented qualitatively by this representative mass spectrum. Consequently, a profile of signal peptides present in a bodily fluid (cerebrospinal fluid) can be obtained as a representative mass spectrum by the method disclosed here.

The peak values obtained above reflect the degree of abundance of signal peptides corresponding to the m/z values of these peaks in the measured cerebrospinal fluid sample. That is, the data set relating to these peak values quantitatively shows a profile of the signal peptides present in the cerebrospinal fluid. Consequently, a profile of signal peptides present in a bodily fluid (cerebrospinal fluid) can be determined as a data set relating to peak values by the method disclosed here.

Example 2 Comparison of ALS Patient Group and Healthy Subject Group

The peak values of each peak obtained in Example 1 above were then subjected to statistically significant difference testing between the ALS patient group and healthy subject group. A two-tail test was performed using a U test (Mann-Whitney's U test) as the statistically significant difference test. In this significant difference test, the significance level was set at 5% (that is, the difference was significant when the P value was p<0.05).

As a result, significant differences were found at 327 peaks between the ALS patient group and the healthy subject group. The results are shown in Tables 2 to 9.

TABLE 2 ALS patient group Healty subject group (n = 5) (n = 5) m/z of Standard Standard each Average of Deviation of Average of Deviation of P peak Peak value Peak value Peak value Peak value value 1405.71 18.52 7.11 2.46 3.63 0.012 1406.49 14.74 10.74 1.98 2.79 0.037 1409.4 12.67 11.48 0.52 1.04 0.011 1410.97 13.64 10.65 0.29 0.49 0.021 1418.7 19.21 4.66 1.41 2.29 0.012 1426.68 14.43 11 1.62 1.2 0.012 1437.62 12.9 11.16 0.24 0.53 0.018 1445.77 15.91 8.36 0.15 0.15 0.012 1451.61 13.22 11.15 0.67 1.48 0.02 1456.44 21.13 7.06 5.28 4.26 0.022 1458.88 15.68 10.99 3 1.91 0.037 1466.24 10.79 12.66 0.68 0.92 0.036 1468.86 11.77 12.49 1.41 1.37 0.037 1472.12 12.44 11.92 1 1.13 0.022 1476.87 14.66 11.33 2.38 1.56 0.037 1482.6 14.57 10 0.46 0.65 0.011 1493.58 11.7 12.23 0.81 1.19 0.021 1495.42 16.07 9.07 1.01 0.96 0.012 1496.52 14.02 10.19 0.1 0.18 0.011 1497.16 0 0 11.07 12.18 0.025 1498.88 17.66 7.54 1.3 0.93 0.012 1502.4 14.46 9.71 0 0 0.007 1505.52 13.38 10.64 0 0 0.025 1508.76 12.31 11.92 0.84 0.83 0.012 1510.5 11.67 11.96 0.24 0.44 0.011 1516.64 15.99 9.7 1.72 1.91 0.021 1521.93 17.23 6.98 0.49 1.11 0.01 1529.32 20.03 6.8 3.65 3.32 0.012 1530.37 15.81 10.04 2.36 3.32 0.036 1533.52 18.55 8.74 3.3 1.79 0.012 1539.36 8.56 13.71 0.95 0.91 0.021 1544.22 13.28 11.31 0.86 0.8 0.012 1553.72 18.64 4.89 0.76 1.16 0.011 1555.72 17.22 8.27 1.65 2.29 0.012 1560.24 11.35 12.12 0.18 0.17 0.012 1566.2 17.31 9.39 3.18 3.47 0.037 1567.2 13 11.17 0.35 0.29 0.012 1567.74 0 0 9.65 12.91 0.025 1575.7 8.34 13.65 0.49 0.45 0.022 1578.07 14.78 9.99 0.65 0.71 0.022 1580.91 11.16 12.23 0.18 0.27 0.012 1589.58 14.46 11.19 2.91 4.07 0.037 1592.55 12.42 11.42 0.12 0.17 0.036 1597.25 12.6 11.59 0.59 0.83 0.034 1608.53 15.61 9.27 0.71 0.53 0.012

TABLE 3 ALS patient group Healty subject group (n = 5) (n = 5) m/z of Standard Standard each Average of Deviation of Average of Deviation of P peak Peak value Peak value Peak value Peak value value 1609.36 17.26 8.87 2.78 3.91 0.021 1610.62 10.76 12.52 0.34 0.67 0.011 1616.12 12.26 11.9 0.82 1.25 0.037 1629.15 14.42 9.75 0 0 0.007 1639.39 15.21 10.12 1.25 0.95 0.012 1640.36 12.8 11.57 0.8 1.09 0.012 1646.58 12.08 11.63 0.09 0.13 0.02 1655.72 10.01 12.84 0.21 0.24 0.012 1657.97 16.51 8.46 0.88 0.88 0.012 1659.24 12.16 12.32 1.43 1.1 0.022 1660.46 14.36 10.99 1.63 1.7 0.012 1662.16 13.58 11.28 1.13 0.94 0.022 1679.09 10.56 12.66 0.4 0.59 0.011 1682.54 0 0 11.88 11.7 0.007 1683.12 10.63 12.63 0.47 0.97 0.011 1687.34 15.02 10.3 1.38 1.63 0.022 1688.14 14.3 10.85 1.94 3.44 0.021 1691.08 9.87 13.1 0.63 0.25 0.012 1691.75 13.75 10.76 0.67 1.5 0.01 1694.76 8.92 13.35 0.3 0.42 0.012 1695.74 17.83 9.31 3.4 2.86 0.022 1700.65 18.09 10.14 4.59 2.89 0.022 1702.19 16.77 9.97 3.87 4.66 0.037 1705.53 0 0 12.1 11.55 0.007 1708.77 18.34 6.6 1.4 1.47 0.012 1712.1 13.54 11.39 1.4 1.74 0.021 1714.63 18.87 6.55 2.08 2.42 0.012 1715.56 8.75 13.44 0.34 0.48 0.022 1719.51 14.88 10.19 1.04 1.21 0.012 1721.61 13.63 10.66 0.29 0.41 0.011 1726.31 17.89 5.35 0.16 0.23 0.011 1737.85 8.98 13.39 0.44 0.27 0.012 1739.71 13.09 11.19 0.48 0.47 0.012 1743.69 14.66 10.55 1.46 2.21 0.021 1761.79 12.77 11.81 1.15 1.13 0.036 1769.93 11.5 12.04 0.19 0.31 0.034 1774.13 15.63 9.75 2.04 3.81 0.034 1775.7 11.75 12.47 1.48 1.86 0.036 1786.39 18.18 6.32 1.08 1.48 0.012 1788.03 15.91 9.68 2.09 3.43 0.021 1790.8 17.61 8.59 2.35 2.41 0.022 1796.23 13.53 11.16 0.87 0.62 0.012 1797.49 13.64 10.53 0.13 0.3 0.045

TABLE 4 ALS patient group Healty subject group (n = 5) (n = 5) m/z of Standard Standard each Average of Deviation of Average of Deviation of P peak Peak value Peak value Peak value Peak value value 1800.34 11.53 12.32 0.77 0.99 0.037 1801.79 19.12 6.24 2 1.68 0.012 1804.45 14.95 9.7 0.52 0.9 0.012 1810.72 17.28 8.69 2.18 2.65 0.012 1812.31 11.69 12.38 1.21 1.75 0.037 1813.77 11.17 12.33 0.4 0.57 0.011 1817.26 14.56 10.68 1.6 2.42 0.037 1818.66 15.13 9.54 0.5 0.55 0.012 1819.34 0 0 10.94 12.26 0.025 1819.93 15.36 9.47 0.79 1.57 0.021 1821.71 9.79 12.93 0.18 0.4 0.01 1822.73 16.54 9.56 1.95 0.75 0.012 1829.48 16.71 8.07 0.72 0.31 0.012 1831.81 0 0 12.62 11.2 0.025 1832.41 16.39 8.85 1.17 1.4 0.036 1836.18 13.91 10.66 0.71 1.6 0.01 1837.33 12.8 11.63 0.96 1.46 0.034 1840.84 17.83 7.23 1.37 1.84 0.012 1849.81 16.31 8.56 0.78 0.94 0.012 1854.68 10.29 12.76 0.33 0.51 0.02 1858.34 15.47 9.73 1.38 2.5 0.02 1864.19 15.39 9.58 1.02 2.02 0.021 1866.06 16.93 7.69 0.68 0.92 0.012 1875.28 20.32 8.92 5.87 3.88 0.012 1876.5 15.8 8.92 0.57 0.79 0.011 1878.25 11.11 12.48 0.77 1.6 0.022 1890.21 14.46 10.69 1.24 1.23 0.022 1891.32 16.73 8.57 1.36 1.98 0.012 1893 12.88 11.73 1.3 1.91 0.021 1904.69 10.97 12.61 0.76 0.9 0.036 1911.46 15.01 10.23 1.28 1.61 0.021 1913.68 12.44 11.6 0.49 1.1 0.018 1916.02 13.23 11.62 1.36 1.39 0.012 1919.35 11.81 12.26 1.01 1.36 0.036 1927.13 15.89 9.35 1.45 2.71 0.021 1931.84 15.79 9.39 1.12 1.48 0.012 1934.86 10.44 12.73 0.42 0.52 0.012 1935.52 0 0 10.03 12.73 0.025 1936.83 11.56 12.14 0.44 0.5 0.012 1937.87 13.44 11.15 0.83 1.19 0.02 1941.22 13.64 11.15 1.46 2.83 0.036 1944.97 16.26 8.99 1.12 1.02 0.012 1948.39 14.14 10.46 0.68 1.52 0.01

TABLE 5 ALS patient group Healty subject group (n = 5) (n = 5) m/z of Standard Standard each Average of Deviation of Average of Deviation of P peak Peak value Peak value Peak value Peak value value 1952.47 9.64 13.11 0.52 1.1 0.034 1957.8 13.48 11.34 1.29 1.83 0.022 1962.82 12.86 11.1 0.11 0.17 0.02 1969.82 13.06 11.39 0.75 0.69 0.037 1972.54 14.07 10.6 0.79 1.51 0.02 1975.58 14.44 11.13 2.17 2.64 0.036 1976.51 15.44 8.94 0.21 0.16 0.012 1977.7 18.15 5.95 0.81 1.29 0.011 1979.29 17.91 8.07 2.05 1.59 0.012 1988.46 10.26 12.94 0.89 1.61 0.036 1991.91 15.83 10.12 2.06 2.04 0.022 1995.37 13.93 11.89 2.54 1.57 0.012 2009.91 9.15 13.38 0.63 0.71 0.012 2011.18 15.18 9.21 0.22 0.49 0.01 2013.86 15.43 9.51 0.84 1.17 0.012 2023.97 15.46 9.58 1.12 2.13 0.022 2027.73 14.44 10.22 0.59 0.83 0.02 2030.95 8.71 13.39 0.16 0.25 0.021 2032.69 11.23 12.49 0.8 1 0.037 2039.29 13.14 11.83 1.6 1.4 0.022 2043.12 11.85 12.27 1 0.98 0.022 2045.68 16.29 8.32 0.51 0.59 0.012 2051.76 14.74 10.29 0.98 0.92 0.012 2055.5 0 0 11.24 12.08 0.025 2059.05 15.21 10.15 1.32 1.18 0.022 2062.98 11.11 12.3 0.26 0.35 0.012 2065.57 0 0 10.08 12.71 0.025 2066.09 13.21 11.14 0.64 1.43 0.045 2074.03 11.32 12.41 0.78 1.3 0.036 2075.32 13.91 11.57 2.17 2.23 0.022 2079.8 13.24 11.26 1.12 2.5 0.045 2083.74 12.61 11.38 0.27 0.36 0.012 2084.36 0 0 10.58 12.45 0.025 2085.85 12.16 11.79 0.45 0.57 0.012 2089.53 14.41 10.19 0.5 0.46 0.012 2092.25 0 0 9.48 13 0.025 2092.8 14.13 10.37 0.49 1.09 0.01 2097.03 16.11 9.45 1.55 1.8 0.012 2099.42 13.41 10.65 0.05 0.11 0.01 2111.39 12.66 11.22 0.06 0.13 0.045 2113.1 11.8 11.83 0.15 0.33 0.045 2115.77 11.56 12.19 0.64 1.44 0.018 2120.37 10.94 12.56 0.61 0.72 0.036

TABLE 6 ALS patient group Healty subject group (n = 5) (n = 5) m/z of Standard Standard each Average of Deviation of Average of Deviation of P peak Peak value Peak value Peak value Peak value value 2126.55 14.45 10.57 1.34 2.38 0.021 2137.63 12.11 11.72 0.29 0.65 0.045 2139.15 14.29 11 1.54 1.52 0.022 2140.48 0 0 14.5 9.67 0.025 2143.42 15.78 8.68 0.31 0.39 0.012 2146.46 10.69 12.61 0.44 0.67 0.02 2149.85 15.66 9.55 1.08 1.01 0.012 2151.02 16.96 8.15 1.11 1.2 0.012 2160.22 16.02 10.27 2.41 1.96 0.012 2161.68 16.24 9.44 3.12 5.3 0.037 2167.09 11.99 11.67 0.08 0.17 0.045 2167.78 0 0 10.14 12.68 0.025 2168.75 16.82 8.6 1.52 2.18 0.022 2173.75 15.3 9.38 0.5 0.46 0.012 2177.51 13.11 10.87 0.04 0.1 0.01 2179.25 13.79 10.3 0 0 0.007 2184.93 0 0 8.03 13.59 0.025 2185.65 17.02 8.64 2.21 3.65 0.02 2186.28 12.04 11.64 0.07 0.15 0.01 2190.18 17.63 9.55 4.45 5.03 0.037 2191.02 15.85 9.19 0.95 1.39 0.012 2192.84 10.27 12.87 0.6 0.93 0.034 2196.47 12.26 13.06 3.48 2.47 0.037 2199.82 7.28 13.87 0.06 0.14 0.045 2201.22 15.64 9.44 1.75 3.92 0.045 2204.02 12.87 11.59 0.93 1.22 0.022 2207.1 10.33 13.07 1.12 1.09 0.037 2211.58 9.55 13.03 0.16 0.35 0.01 2216.77 11.9 12.08 1.09 2.43 0.045 2218.45 12.89 11.41 0.61 0.61 0.012 2219.3 9.82 13.04 0.47 0.54 0.022 2220.56 15.97 8.47 0.33 0.73 0.011 2222.74 15.38 9.45 0.68 0.67 0.037 2226.96 13.64 10.43 0 0 0.007 2228.22 11.05 12.39 0.36 0.33 0.022 2231.6 12.95 11.48 0.9 1.56 0.034 2239.71 15.94 10.12 3.29 4.74 0.021 2244.01 11.58 12.41 1.06 1.33 0.022 2251.78 17.76 7.91 1.67 0.83 0.012 2254.83 13.06 11.1 0.34 0.77 0.01 2256.53 9.59 13.02 0.18 0.22 0.036 2261.91 11.86 11.84 0.22 0.49 0.045 2266.45 10.84 12.31 0 0 0.025

TABLE 7 ALS patient group Healty subject group (n = 5) (n = 5) m/z of Standard Standard each Average of Deviation of Average of Deviation of P peak Peak value Peak value Peak value Peak value value 2268.58 11.8 11.9 0.28 0.62 0.045 2274.97 17.37 9 2.85 3.5 0.012 2276.04 14.63 10.78 1.57 1.44 0.022 2278.67 13.07 10.91 0.05 0.11 0.01 2281.09 15.63 8.94 0.39 0.33 0.012 2285.01 13.18 11.26 0.66 0.46 0.012 2289.43 15.08 10.59 1.91 2.09 0.021 2290.85 15.26 8.91 0 0 0.007 2292.35 15.68 8.52 0.07 0.15 0.01 2295.92 11.62 12.26 0.75 0.92 0.012 2296.92 15.92 9.12 0.92 1.07 0.012 2301.71 15.29 9.96 1.16 1.05 0.012 2302.5 15.74 9.65 2.06 3.86 0.034 2303.21 15.81 9.36 2.75 5.54 0.034 2305.43 11.28 12.72 1.85 2.78 0.036 2307.22 13.15 11.21 0.57 0.58 0.012 2314.24 12.27 11.44 0 0 0.025 2314.81 0 0 6.91 13.97 0.025 2317.68 12.65 11.96 1.41 1.79 0.012 2325.3 13.5 10.97 0.58 0.62 0.012 2327.73 0 0 13.86 10.25 0.025 2341.14 8.23 13.52 0 0 0.025 2342.87 14.75 10.25 0.97 1.09 0.012 2344.45 14.88 9.81 0.56 0.76 0.011 2351.97 8.05 13.65 0.21 0.31 0.036 2353.99 10.18 12.97 0.68 0.62 0.012 2355.29 11.95 11.65 0 0 0.025 2357.54 12.83 11.27 0.31 0.37 0.012 2367.75 8.79 13.38 0.21 0.16 0.012 2375.59 16.84 7.96 0.77 0.53 0.012 2378.35 17.59 5.88 0.14 0.18 0.012 2380.39 12.54 11.36 0.16 0.22 0.036 2393.64 14.63 10.45 1.15 1.5 0.021 2402.11 13.69 11.13 1.02 0.87 0.012 2404.01 12.36 11.63 0.43 0.97 0.045 2406.49 10.31 12.82 0.48 0.47 0.012 2412.79 11.91 11.73 0.08 0.11 0.011 2414.25 12.04 11.82 0.42 0.93 0.045 2415.2 14.72 11 2.06 1.95 0.036 2416.3 11.46 11.98 0.04 0.1 0.045 2431.13 11.53 11.93 0.02 0.05 0.045 2434.36 12.09 11.84 0.45 0.44 0.012 2438.19 12.48 11.3 0 0 0.025

TABLE 8 ALS patient group Healty subject group (n = 5) (n = 5) m/z of Standard Standard each Average of Deviation of Average of Deviation of P peak Peak value Peak value Peak value Peak value value 2439.22 14.23 11.01 1.68 2.33 0.036 2444.37 15.32 10 1.43 2.07 0.02 2451.9 11.22 12.61 1.01 0.89 0.012 2453.96 12.77 11.19 0.14 0.32 0.045 2455.44 11.77 11.81 0.07 0.13 0.011 2456.62 13.13 12.1 2.18 1.92 0.037 2459.43 14.58 10.19 0.71 0.91 0.022 2462.31 11.23 12.3 0.42 0.92 0.011 2464.16 14.92 9.62 0.41 0.92 0.045 2470.97 16.04 8.93 0.9 1.45 0.012 2478.17 14.5 9.78 0.11 0.22 0.011 2479.28 12.83 11.59 0.87 1.13 0.012 2484.18 11.41 12.37 1.03 2.16 0.02 2500.4 14.96 10.06 1.04 1.62 0.012 2502.64 12.63 11.35 0.25 0.55 0.01 2504.73 13.85 11.3 2.16 3.43 0.036 2507.42 12.35 11.8 0.67 0.81 0.012 2509.21 12.62 11.63 0.72 1.1 0.034 2515.26 7.42 13.8 0 0 0.025 2517.43 14.9 10.1 2.54 5.24 0.034 2519.07 10.26 12.62 0 0 0.045 2527.31 13.31 10.83 0.19 0.31 0.02 2531.06 13.3 11.17 0.73 1.22 0.012 2532.26 12.23 11.49 0.03 0.06 0.045 2546.08 11.84 12.04 0.54 0.3 0.012 2554.96 17.74 7.11 1.16 1.58 0.011 2559.48 16.87 7.83 0.76 1.21 0.011 2564.01 11.96 11.64 0 0 0.025 2571.26 10.51 13.07 1.36 1.29 0.012 2578.45 11.97 11.86 0.36 0.53 0.011 2581.25 17.06 7.54 0.68 0.67 0.012 2583.37 10.49 12.5 0 0 0.025 2584.81 10.46 12.62 0.22 0.27 0.036 2587.01 10.27 12.8 0.43 0.71 0.021 2588.9 13.86 10.42 0.22 0.23 0.036 2593.68 10.56 12.71 0.53 0.65 0.012 2596.11 10.96 12.47 0.42 0.43 0.012 2603.33 14.88 9.7 0.43 0.49 0.012 2608.2 12.5 11.6 0.54 0.97 0.021 2613.31 11.35 12.02 0 0 0.025 2614.91 17.74 7.82 1.77 2.13 0.012 2622.46 11.81 11.97 0.38 0.41 0.037 2629.26 16.2 8.49 0.6 0.94 0.012

TABLE 9 ALS patient group Healty subject group (n = 5) (n = 5) m/z of Standard Standard each Average of Deviation of Average of Deviation of P peak Peak value Peak value Peak value Peak value value 2633.69 12.5 11.29 0 0 0.025 2634.61 11.98 12.32 1.25 1.12 0.037 2640.51 14.35 10.12 0.38 0.85 0.01 2641.73 11.99 11.95 0.56 0.82 0.021 2652.85 11.63 12.24 0.71 0.81 0.037 2655.08 13.38 10.94 0.4 0.44 0.012 2665.15 13.49 10.66 0.15 0.22 0.012 2670 10.97 12.24 0 0 0.025 2682.8 19.8 3.15 1.29 0.95 0.012 2696.41 14.64 10.04 0.57 0.64 0.012 2697.73 0 0 10.33 12.58 0.025 2698.27 14.67 9.53 0.02 0.04 0.01 2699.82 15.12 9.45 0.43 0.92 0.02 3302.01 9.88 12.8 0 0 0.025 3303.21 9.87 13.04 0.54 0.7 0.037 3309.84 0 0 11.35 12.02 0.025 3323.89 9.89 12.8 0.01 0.02 0.045 3330.34 12.91 11.2 0.31 0.7 0.01 3337.92 11.26 12.12 0.08 0.18 0.045 3366.84 12.53 11.27 0 0 0.025 3370.39 7.79 13.7 0.06 0.12 0.045 3378.18 9.31 13.07 0 0 0.025 3380.43 11.84 11.96 0.47 1.05 0.045 3384.77 9.63 12.99 0.15 0.25 0.034

As shown in Tables 2 to 9, 327 peaks were identified at which there were significant differences in the peak values between the ALS patient group and the healthy subject group (peaks of m/z 1405.71, 1406.49, 1409.40, 1410.97, 1418.70, 1426.68, 1437.62, 1445.77, 1451.61, 1456.44, 1458.88, 1466.24, 1468.86, 1472.12, 1476.87, 1482.60, 1493.58, 1495.42, 1496.52, 1497.16, 1498.88, 1502.40, 1505.52, 1508.76, 1510.50, 1516.64, 1521.93, 1529.32, 1530.37, 1533.52, 1539.36, 1544.22, 1553.72, 1555.72, 1560.24, 1566.20, 1567.20, 1567.74, 1575.70, 1578.07, 1580.91, 1589.58, 1592.55, 1597.25, 1608.53, 1609.36, 1610.62, 1616.12, 1629.15, 1639.39, 1640.36, 1646.58, 1655.72, 1657.97, 1659.24, 1660.46, 1662.16, 1679.09, 1682.54, 1683.12, 1687.34, 1688.14, 1691.08, 1691.75, 1694.76, 1695.74, 1700.65, 1702.19, 1705.53, 1708.77, 1712.10, 1714.63, 1715.56, 1719.51, 1721.61, 1726.31, 1737.85, 1739.71, 1743.69, 1761.79, 1769.93, 1774.13, 1775.70, 1786.39, 1788.03, 1790.80, 1796.23, 1797.49, 1800.34, 1801.79, 1804.45, 1810.72, 1812.31, 1813.77, 1817.26, 1818.66, 1819.34, 1819.93, 1821.71, 1822.73, 1829.48, 1831.81, 1832.41, 1836.18, 1837.33, 1840.84, 1849.81, 1854.68, 1858.34, 1864.19, 1866.06, 1875.28, 1876.50, 1878.25, 1890.21, 1891.32, 1893.00, 1904.69, 1911.46, 1913.68, 1916.02, 1919.35, 1927.13, 1931.84, 1934.86, 1935.52, 1936.83, 1937.87, 1941.22, 1944.97, 1948.39, 1952.47, 1957.80, 1962.82, 1969.82, 1972.54, 1975.58, 1976.51, 1977.70, 1979.29, 1988.46, 1991.91, 1995.37, 2009.91, 2011.18, 2013.86, 2023.97, 2027.73, 2030.95, 2032.69, 2039.29, 2043.12, 2045.68, 2051.76, 2055.50, 2059.05, 2062.98, 2065.57, 2066.09, 2074.03, 2075.32, 2079.80, 2083.74, 2084.36, 2085.85, 2089.53, 2092.25, 2092.80, 2097.03, 2099.42, 2111.39, 2113.10, 2115.77, 2120.37, 2126.55, 2137.63, 2139.15, 2140.48, 2143.42, 2146.46, 2149.85, 2151.02, 2160.22, 2161.68, 2167.09, 2167.78, 2168.75, 2173.75, 2177.51, 2179.25, 2184.93, 2185.65, 2186.28, 2190.18, 2191.02, 2192.84, 2196.47, 2199.82, 2201.22, 2204.02, 2207.10, 2211.58, 2216.77, 2218.45, 2219.30, 2220.56, 2222.74, 2226.96, 2228.22, 2231.60, 2239.71, 2244.01, 2251.78, 2254.83, 2256.53, 2261.91, 2266.45, 2268.58, 2274.97, 2276.04, 2278.67, 2281.09, 2285.01, 2289.43, 2290.85, 2292.35, 2295.92, 2296.92, 2301.71, 2302.50, 2303.21, 2305.43, 2307.22, 2314.24, 2314.81, 2317.68, 2325.30, 2327.73, 2341.14, 2342.87, 2344.45, 2351.97, 2353.99, 2355.29, 2357.54, 2367.75, 2375.59, 2378.35, 2380.39, 2393.64, 2402.11, 2404.01, 2406.49, 2412.79, 2414.25, 2415.20, 2416.30, 2431.13, 2434.36, 2438.19, 2439.22, 2444.37, 2451.90, 2453.96, 2455.44, 2456.62, 2459.43, 2462.31, 2464.16, 2470.97, 2478.17, 2479.28, 2484.18, 2500.40, 2502.64, 2504.73, 2507.42, 2509.21, 2515.26, 2517.43, 2519.07, 2527.31, 2531.06, 2532.26, 2546.08, 2554.96, 2559.48, 2564.01, 2571.26, 2578.45, 2581.25, 2583.37, 2584.81, 2587.01, 2588.90, 2593.68, 2596.11, 2603.33, 2608.20, 2613.31, 2614.91, 2622.46, 2629.26, 2633.69, 2634.61, 2640.51, 2641.73, 2652.85, 2655.08, 2665.15, 2670.00, 2682.80, 2696.41, 2697.73, 2698.27, 2699.82, 3302.01, 3303.21, 3309.84, 3323.89, 3330.34, 3337.92, 3366.84, 3370.39, 3378.18, 3380.43 and 3384.77). That is, these results show that the signal peptides having molecular weights corresponding to the m/z values of the 327 peaks whose peak values differed significantly between the ALS patient group and healthy subject group are ALS-associated signal peptides.

These results also show that the signal peptides having molecular weights corresponding to the m/z values of the 327 peaks whose peak values differed significantly between the ALS patient group and healthy subject group (that is, the ALS-associated signal peptides) are signal peptides (that is, ALS biomarkers) that can be used to distinguish between ALS patients and healthy subjects by indicating the degree of abundance of these signal peptides in a bodily fluid.

These results also show that the signal peptide profiles of the ALS patients and the signal peptides profiles of the healthy subjects determined in Example 2 differ at all of the m/z values of the 327 peaks (or the molecular weights corresponding to the m/z values of these peaks). That is, these results confirm that data indicating the likelihood that a test subject suffers from or has developed ALS can be obtained by determining a profile of signal peptides present in a bodily fluid collected from a test subject, and comparing the m/z values of these 327 peaks (or the molecular weights corresponding to the m/z values of these peaks) in the signal peptide profile of the test subject and the signal peptide profile of a healthy subject.

These results also confirm that data indicating the likelihood that a test subject suffers from or has developed ALS can be obtained by testing the degree of abundance of any signal peptide with a molecular weight corresponding to any of these 327 peak m/z values in a bodily fluid collected from a test subject, and comparing this with the degree of abundance of the same signal peptide in a bodily fluid from a healthy subject.

Moreover, as shown in Tables 2 to 9, the peak values of the peaks at the following m/z values (310 peaks) were significantly higher in the ALS patient group than in the healthy subject group. These results indicate the signal peptides having molecular weights corresponding to the m/z values of these 310 peaks are ALS positive signal peptides (that is, positive biomarkers):

1405.71, 1406.49, 1409.40, 1410.97, 1418.70, 1426.68, 1437.62, 1445.77, 1451.61, 1456.44, 1458.88, 1466.24, 1468.86, 1472.12, 1476.87, 1482.60, 1493.58, 1495.42, 1496.52, 1498.88, 1502.40, 1505.52, 1508.76, 1510.50, 1516.64, 1521.93, 1529.32, 1530.37, 1533.52, 1539.36, 1544.22, 1553.72, 1555.72, 1560.24, 1566.20, 1567.20, 1575.70, 1578.07, 1580.91, 1589.58, 1592.55, 1597.25, 1608.53, 1609.36, 1610.62, 1616.12, 1629.15, 1639.39, 1640.36, 1646.58, 1655.72, 1657.97, 1659.24, 1660.46, 1662.16, 1679.09, 1682.54, 1683.12, 1687.34, 1688.14, 1691.08, 1691.75, 1694.76, 1695.74, 1700.65, 1702.19, 1708.77, 1712.10, 1714.63, 1715.56, 1719.51, 1721.61, 1726.31, 1737.85, 1739.71, 1743.69, 1761.79, 1769.93, 1774.13, 1775.70, 1786.39, 1788.03, 1790.80, 1796.23, 1797.49, 1800.34, 1801.79, 1804.45, 1810.72, 1812.31, 1813.77, 1817.26, 1818.66, 1819.93, 1821.71, 1822.73, 1829.48, 1832.41, 1836.18, 1837.33, 1840.84, 1849.81, 1854.68, 1858.34, 1864.19, 1866.06, 1875.28, 1876.50, 1878.25, 1890.21, 1891.32, 1893.00, 1904.69, 1911.46, 1913.68, 1916.02, 1919.35, 1927.13, 1931.84, 1934.86, 1936.83, 1937.87, 1941.22, 1944.97, 1948.39, 1952.47, 1957.80, 1962.82, 1969.82, 1972.54, 1975.58, 1976.51, 1977.70, 1979.29, 1988.46, 1991.91, 1995.37, 2009.91, 2011.18, 2013.86, 2023.97, 2027.73, 2030.95, 2032.69, 2039.29, 2043.12, 2045.68, 2051.76, 2059.05, 2062.98, 2066.09, 2074.03, 2075.32, 2079.80, 2083.74, 2085.85, 2089.53, 2092.80, 2097.03, 2099.42, 2111.39, 2113.10, 2115.77, 2120.37, 2126.55, 2137.63, 2139.15, 2143.42, 2146.46, 2149.85, 2151.02, 2160.22, 2161.68, 2167.09, 2168.75, 2173.75, 2177.51, 2179.25, 2185.65, 2186.28, 2190.18, 2191.02, 2192.84, 2196.47, 2199.82, 2201.22, 2204.02, 2207.10, 2211.58, 2216.77, 2218.45, 2219.30, 2220.56, 2222.74, 2226.96, 2228.22, 2231.60, 2239.71, 2244.01, 2251.78, 2254.83, 2256.53, 2261.91, 2266.45, 2268.58, 2274.97, 2276.04, 2278.67, 2281.09, 2285.01, 2289.43, 2290.85, 2292.35, 2295.92, 2296.92, 2301.71, 2302.50, 2303.21, 2305.43, 2307.22, 2314.24, 2317.68, 2325.30, 2341.14, 2342.87, 2344.45, 2351.97, 2353.99, 2355.29, 2357.54, 2367.75, 2375.59, 2378.35, 2380.39, 2393.64, 2402.11, 2404.01, 2406.49, 2412.79, 2414.25, 2415.20, 2416.30, 2431.13, 2434.36, 2438.19, 2439.22, 2444.37, 2451.90, 2453.96, 2455.44, 2456.62, 2459.43, 2462.31, 2464.16, 2470.97, 2478.17, 2479.28, 2484.18, 2500.40, 2502.64, 2504.73, 2507.42, 2509.21, 2515.26, 2517.43, 2519.07, 2527.31, 2531.06, 2532.26, 2546.08, 2554.96, 2559.48, 2564.01, 2571.26, 2578.45, 2581.25, 2583.37, 2584.81, 2587.01, 2588.90, 2593.68, 2596.11, 2603.33, 2608.20, 2613.31, 2614.91, 2622.46, 2629.26, 2633.69, 2634.61, 2640.51, 2641.73, 2652.85, 2655.08, 2665.15, 2670.00, 2682.80, 2696.41, 2698.27, 2699.82, 3302.01, 3303.21, 3323.89, 3330.34, 3337.92, 3366.84, 3370.39, 3378.18, 3380.43 and 3384.77.

Furthermore, as shown in Tables 2 to 9, the peak values of the peaks at the following m/z values (17 peaks) were significantly lower in the ALS patient group than in the healthy subject group. These results indicate the signal peptides having molecular weights corresponding to the m/z values of these 17 peaks are ALS negative signal peptides (that is, negative biomarkers):

1497.16, 1567.74, 1705.53, 1819.34, 1831.81, 1935.52, 2055.50, 2065.57, 2084.36, 2092.25, 2140.48, 2167.78, 2184.93, 2314.81, 2327.73, 2697.73 and 3309.84.

Moreover, as shown in Tables 2 to 9, the peak values of the peaks at m/z values of 1502.40, 1521.93, 1629.15, 1682.54, 1691.75, 1705.53, 1821.71, 1836.18, 1948.39, 2011.18, 2092.80, 2099.42, 2177.51, 2179.25, 2186.28, 2211.58, 2226.96, 2254.83, 2278.67, 2290.85, 2292.35, 2502.64, 2640.51, 2698.27 and 3330.34 (25 peaks) were dramatically different (p≤0.01) in the ALS patient group in comparison with the healthy subject group. These results indicate that the signal peptides having molecular weights corresponding to the m/z values of these 25 peaks are signal peptides that can distinguish ALS patients from healthy subjects with a high degree of accuracy (reliability) when the degree of abundance of the signal peptides in a bodily fluid is used as an indicator.

That is, these results confirm that highly reliable (highly accurate) data indicating a strong possibility that a test subject suffers from or has developed ALS can be obtained by determining a profile of signal peptides in a bodily fluid collected from the test subject if the signal peptide profile of the test subject differs from the signal peptide profile of a healthy subject at a m/z value at any of these 25 peaks (or a molecular weight corresponding to any of these peak m/z values).

In other words, we confirmed that highly reliable (highly accurate) data indicating whether or not there is a strong likelihood that a test subject suffers from or has developed ALS can be obtained by testing the degree of abundance of any of the signal peptides having molecular weights corresponding to these 25 peak m/z values in a bodily fluid collected from a test subject, and comparing it with the degree of abundance of the same signal peptide in a bodily fluid from a healthy subject.

Example 3 Specifying Signal Peptides

Signal peptides were specified corresponding to the 327 peaks identified in Example 2 having peak values that were significantly different between an ALS patient group and a healthy subject group. That is, the m/z values of each peak were compared with the molecular weights of known signal peptides, and if the molecular weight of a signal peptide was within m/z±2 of a target peak, it was specified as a signal peptide corresponding to the target peak. The results are shown in Tables 10 to 44.

As shown in Tables 10 to 44, the signal peptides comprising the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID Nos: 1 to 1580 were specified as the ALS-associated signal peptides (that is, ALS biomarkers) disclosed here.

These results indicate that data for aiding ALS detection (diagnosis) can be obtained (typically. ALS can be diagnosed) by using as an indicator the degree of abundance of a signal peptide comprising any of the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID Nos: 1 to 1580.

TABLE 10 Signal Peptide SEQ ID m/z of the Amino acid sequence No. MW corresponding peak MLTVALLALLCASASG 181 1533.9 1533.52 MNLLLILTFVAAAVA 182 1559.97 1560.24 MRLILPVGLIATTLA 183 1582.02 1580.91 MLRVLVGAVLPAMLL 184 1596.11 1597.25 MLLPLLLLLPMCWA 1 1627.18 1629.15 MLLILLSVALLALSSA 2 1628.09 1629.15 MLLILLSVALLALSSA 3 1628.09 1629.15 MYALFLLASLLGAALA 185 1638.04 1639.39 MRGLLVLSVLLGAVFG 186 1645.08 1646.58 MLPLWTLSLLLGAVAG 187 1655.07 1655.72 MKLPLLLALLFGAVSA 188 1657.13 1657.97, 1655.72 MIRTLLLSTLVAGALS 189 1659.06 1659.24, 1660.46, 1657.97 MIRTLLLSTLVAGALS 190 1659.06 1659.24, 1660.46, 1657.97 MLLILLSVALLAFSSA 191 1662.1 1662.16, 1660.46 MKVSAVLLCLLLMTAA 192 1677.2 1679.09 MLAATVLTLALLGNAHA 193 1680.04 1679.09 MLFLLLPLLAVLPGDG 4 1682.14 1682.54, 1683.12 MTAEFLSLLCLGLCLG 5 1684.1 1683.12, 1682.54 MGTWILFACLLGAAFA 194 1685.07 1683.12 MALFGALFLALLAGAHA 195 1687.08 1687.34, 1688.14 MKWLLLLGLVALSEC 196 1689.15 1687.34, 1688.14, 1691.08 MLLSVPLLLGLLGLAVA 6 1693.2 1691.75, 1694.76 MGAPRSLLLALAAGLAVA 197 1695.1 1695.74, 1694.76 MLAVGCALLAALLAAPGAA 198 1697.13 1695.74 MLGVLVLGALALAGLGFP 199 1712.17 1712.1  MALRVLLLTALTLCHG 200 1725.18 1726.31 MLALLCSCLLLAAGASDA 201 1736.13 1737.85 MKRVLVLLLAVAFGHA 202 1738.21 1737.85, 1739.71 MSLVLLSLAALCRSAVP 203 1744.18 1743.69 MVPVLLSLLLLLGPAVP 204 1745.28 1743.69 MRLTVLCAVCLLPGSLA 205 1760.24 1761.79 MALDYLLLLLLASAVAA 206 1761.19 1761.79 MVWKVAVFLSVALGIGA 207 1761.2 1761.79 MSLSAFTLFLALIGGTSG 208 1786.12 1786.39, 1788.03 MLCLLLTLGVALVCGVPA 209 1786.32 1786.39, 1788.03 MRSAAVLALLLCAGQVTA 210 1788.2 1786.39, 1788.03 MFRLWLLLAGLCGLLA 211 1790.3 1790.8  MWFLTTLLLWVPVDG 212 1791.18 1790.8  MRSTILLFCLLGSTRS 213 1798.19 1796.23, 1797.49 MARILLLFLPGLVAVCA 214 1800.34 1800.34, 1801.79 MVAAVLLGLSWLCSPLGA 215 1801.24 1800.34, 1801.79 MAGPSLACCLLGLLALTSA 216 1805.24 1804.45 MLLAMVLTSALLLCSVAG 217 1806.31 1804.45 MQPSSLLPLALCLLAAPA 218 1809.26 1810.72 MWCIVLFSLLAWVYA 219 1815.26 1813.77 MKPLLLAVSLGLIAALQA 7 1822.32 1822.73, 1821.71 MKAAVLTLAVLFLTGSQA 8 1834.25 1832.41, 1836.18 MWLQSLLLLGTVACSIS 9 1835.25 1836.18

TABLE 11 Signal Peptide m/z Amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. MW of the corresponding peak MKFFLLLFTIGFCWA 10 1837.31 1837.33, 1836.18 MKFFLLLFTIGFCWA 11 1837.31 1837.33, 1836.18 MLRRALLCLAVAALVRA 220 1840.37 1840.84 MKALIVLGLVLLSVTVQG 221 1854.37 1854.68 MALLFLLPLVMQGVSRA 222 1859.36 1858.34 MTTLLWVFVTLRVITA 223 1864.32 1864.19, 1866.06 MGSGLPLVLLLTLLGSSHG 224 1865.26 1866.06, 1864.19 MGTQEGWCLLLCLALSGA 225 1866.24 1866.06 MKLLTGLVFCSLVLGVSS 226 1867.34 1866.06 MSALGAVIALLLWGQLFA 227 1874.31 1875.28 MKWMVVVLVCLQLLEA 228 1875.42 1875.28, 1876.5 MLLKTVLLLGHVAQVLM 229 1879.44 1878.25 MKLLAATVLLLTICSLEG 230 1889.38 1890.21, 1891.32 MRACISLVLAVLCGLAWA 231 1890.39 1890.21, 1891.32 MKLAALLGLCVALSCSSAAA 232 1893.35 1893 MQPFLLLLAFLLTPGAGT 233 1903.35 1904.69 MGLAWGLGVLFLMHVCGT 234 1905.36 1904.69 MWSGWWLWPLVAVCTA 235 1906.29 1904.69 MFALGLPFLVLLVASVES 236 1906.35 1904.69 MLPPGTATLLTLLLAAGSLG 237 1910.34 1911.46 MQPLLLLLAFLLPTGAEA 238 1911.37 1911.46 MVWKWMPLLLLLVCVA 239 1915.53 1916.02, 1913.68 MWVPVVFLTLSVTWIGA 240 1919.36 1919.35 MAWSLGSWLGGCLLVSALG 241 1921.3 1919.35 MWLLVSVILISRISSVGG 242 1930.38 1931.84 MKLASGFLVLWLSLGGGLA 243 1933.38 1934.86, 1931.84 MKVLLRLICFIALLISS 244 1933.53 1934.86, 1931.84, 1935.52 MKVLWAALLVTFLAGCQA 245 1935.42 1935.52, 1934.86, 1936.83 MKALIAALLLITLQYSCA 246 1936.44 1934.86, 1935.52, 1936.83, 1937.87 MNSGVCLCVLMAVLAAGALT 247 1937.42 1935.52, 1936.83, 1937.87 MEAVAVAAAVGVLLLAGAGGAAG 248 1939.3 1941.22, 1937.87 MKLVNIWLLLLVVLLCG 249 1940.56 1941.22 MQALVLLLCIGALLGHSSC 250 1942.42 1941.22 MGAPACALALCVAVAIVAGASS 251 1946.37 1944.97 MHLLLFQLLVLLPLGKT 12 1949.51 1948.39 MGLQACLLGLFALILSGKC 252 1951.47 1952.47 MRAWIFFLLCLAGRALA 253 1952.45 1952.47 MLLFVLTCLLAVFPAIST 254 1952.48 1952.47 MKWVWALLLLAALGSGRA 255 1956.42 1957.8 MKSLILLAILAALAVVTLC 256 1956.56 1957.8 MIWYILIIGILLPQSLA 257 1957.49 1957.8 MWRSLGLALALCLLPSGGT 258 1959.4 1957.8 MPALGWAVAAILMLQTAMA 259 1959.45 1957.8 MRLFTGIVFCSLVMGVTS 260 1961.43 1962.82 MDYLLMIFSLLFVACQG 261 1964.43 1962.82

TABLE 12 Signal Peptide SEQ m/z of the ID corresponding Amino acid sequence No. MW peak MQPTLLLSLLGAVGLAAVNS 262 1968.38 1969.82 MALSWVLTVLSLLPLLEA 263 1969.45 1969.82 MALSWVLTVLSLLPLLEA 264 1969.45 1969.82 MVEMLPTAILLVLAVSVVA 265 1969.51 1969.82 MDILCSTLLLLTVPSGVLS 266 1975.43 1975.58, 1976.51 MARAPLGVLLLLGLLGRGVG 267 1976.5 1975.58, 1976.51, 1977.7 MLPLCLVAALLLAAGPGPSLG 268 1977.49 1975.58, 1976.51, 1977.7, 1979.29 MRTLAILAAILLVALQAQA 269 1980.48 1979.29 MRTLAILAAILLVALQAQA 270 1980.48 1979.29 MWLFHTLLCIASLALLAA 271 1987.49 1988.46 MVLHLLLFLLLTPQGGHS 272 1989.45 1988.46 MVMLLLLLSALAGLFGAAEG 273 1990.49 1991.91 MKSVLLLTTLLVPAHLVAA 274 1990.52 1991.91 MARAPPLLAALTALLAAAAAGG 275 1991.42 1991.91 MALLLTTVIALTCLGGFASP 276 1992.46 1991.91 MRGLAVLLTVALATLLAPGAG 277 2008.49 2009.91 MQPILLLLAFLLLPRADA 278 2008.54 2009.91 MEKLLCFLVLTSLSHAFG 13 2009.45 2009.91, 2011.18 MAAALALVAGVLSGAVLPLWS 14 2010.47 2009.91, 2011.18 MKGLAAALLVLVCTMALCSC 15 2011.6 2009.91, 2011.18 MNLAISIALLLTVLQVSRG 16 2012.48 2011.18, 2013.86 MFLKAVVLTLALVAVAGARA 279 2014.54 2013.86 MGFWILAILTILMYSTAA 280 2015.5 2013.86 MKSLVLLLCLAQLWGCHS 281 2015.52 2013.86 MRGPSGALWLLLALRTVLG 282 2024.5 2023.97 MFFWCACCLMVAWRVSA 283 2024.52 2023.97 MYGKIIFVLLLSGIVSISA 284 2024.53 2023.97 MSCPVPACCALLLVLGLCRA 285 2033.61 2032.69 MKLVFLVLLFLGALGLCLA 286 2034.68 2032.69 MYGKIIFVLLLSAIVSISA 287 2038.56 2039.29 MVALPMVLVLLLVLSRGES 288 2040.59 2039.29 MRFMTLLFLTALAGALVCA 289 2042.59 2043.12 MARPLCTLLLLMATLAGALA 290 2043.62 2043.12 MWLLLTMASLISVLGTTHG 291 2044.5 2043.12, 2045.68 MAPLRPLLILALLAWVALA 292 2045.64 2045.68 MALTAHPSCLLALLVAGLAQG 293 2050.51 2051.76 MALLFSLILAICTRPGFLA 294 2050.59 2051.76 IFASLLRAVIASICVVSSMA 295 2051.53 2051.76 MGDHLDLLLGVVLMAGPVFG 296 2054.49 2055.5  MPLGLLWLGLALLGALHAQA 297 2058.56 2059.05 MQLFLLLCLVLLSPQGASL 298 2059.6 2059.05 MTCSPLLLTLLIHCTGSWA 299 2060.52 2059.05 MRLLVLLWGCLLLPGYEA 300 2060.59 2059.05 MISPVLILFSSFLCHVAIA 301 2061.57 2062.98 MRLLAKIICLMLWAICVA 302 2061.74 2062.98 MWLCPLALNLILMAASGAAC 303 2062.59 2062.98

TABLE 13 Signal Peptide SEQ m/z of the ID corresponding Amino acid sequence No. MW peak MAQHLSTLLLLLATLAVALA 304 2063.57 2062.98 MAWASRLGLLLALLLPVVGA 305 2064.6 2062.98, 2065.57, 2066.09 MRGATRVSIMLLLVTVSDC 306 2065.54 2065.57, 2066.09 MKTLLLLLLVLLELGEAQG 307 2067.6 2066.09 MTPPRLFWVWLLVAGTQG 308 2072.5 2074.03 MNCRELPLTLWVLISVST 309 2075.51 2074.03, 2075.32 MSVKGMAIALAVILCATVVQG 310 2075.61 2074.03, 2075.32 MRALLLLGFLLVSLESTLS 311 2076.57 2075.32 MAARALCMLGLVLALLSSSSA 312 2078.57 2079.8 MERASCLLLLLLPLVHVSA 313 2078.6 2079.8 MERGLPLLCAVLALVLAPAGA 314 2078.6 2079.8 MKLITILFLCSRLLLSLT 315 2078.69 2079.8 MALVLEIFTLLASICWVSA 316 2080.57 2079.8 MIILIYLFLLLWEDTQG 317 2081.54 2079.8 MLLLFLLFEGLCCPGENTA 318 2084.53 2083.74, 2084.36, 2085.85 MWLCPLALNLILMAASGAVC 319 2090.65 2089.53, 2092.25 MGRLQLVVLGLTCCWAVASA 17 2091.58 2092.25, 2092.8 MKVSVAALSCLMLVAVLGSQA 18 2091.61 2092.25, 2092.8 MRLLPRLLLLLLLVFPAT 19 2092.74 2092.25, 2092.8 MKVSVAALSCLMLVTALGSQA 20 2093.59 2092.25, 2092.8 MQGPPLLTAAHLLCVCTAALA 21 2094.58 2092.8 MKLAVTLTLVTLALCCSSASA 320 2096.59 2097.03 MYGKIIFVLLLSEIVSISA 321 2096.6 2097.03 MALPFALLMALVVLSCKSSC 22 2097.68 2097.03, 2099.42 MNQLSFLLFLIATTRGWS 23 2098.49 2097.03, 2099.42 MAAAMPLALLVLLLLGPGGWC 322 2110.71 2111.39 MWATQGLAVALALSVLPGSRA 323 2112.52 2111.39, 2113.1 MNVLLGSVVIFATFVTLCNA 324 2112.57 2111.39, 2113.1 MAWPLCTLLLLLATQAVALA 325 2112.66 2111.39, 2113.1 MFSMRIVCLVLSVVGTAWT 326 2113.62 2113.1 MAWQGLVLAACLLMFPSTTA 327 2124.6 2126.55 MATSMGLLLLLLLLLTQPGAG 328 2126.68 2126.55 MLLLPLPLLLFLLCSRAEA 329 2126.73 2126.55 MARPHPWWLCVLGTLVGLS 330 2136.6 2137.63 MSAVLLLALLGFILPLPGVQA 331 2136.71 2137.63 MARGAALALLLFGLLGVLVAAP 332 2137.7 2137.63, 2139.15 MKILILGIFLFLCSTPAWA 333 2137.71 2137.63, 2139.15 MRLPAQLLGLLMLWVPGSSG 334 2139.65 2139.15, 2140.48 MKWVTFISLLFLFSSAYS 335 2140.57 2139.15, 2140.48 MSLFPSLPLLLLSMVAASYS 336 2140.62 2139.15, 2140.48 MASHRLLLLCLAGLVFVSEA 337 2143.63 2143.42 MDWTWRILFLVAAATGAHS 338 2146.49 2146.46 MNKPLLWISVLTSLLEAFA 339 2146.62 2146.46 MKFLAVLVLLGVSIFLVSAQ 340 2148.72 2149.85 MFCPLKULLPVLLDYSLG 341 2148.73 2149.85 MDPRLPAWALVLLGPALVFA 342 2150.65 2149.85, 2151.02

TABLE 14 Signal Peptide m/z Amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. MW of the corresponding peak MLLWSLLVIFDAVTEQADS 343 2151.5 2149.85, 2151.02 MEHKEVVLLLLLFLKSAAP 344 2151.68 2149.85, 2151.02 MAWTPLFLFLLTCCPGGSNS 345 2158.58 2160.22 MRLLLALLGVLLSVPGPPVLS 346 2158.76 2160.22 MSGARSKLALFLCGCYVVALG 347 2159.65 2160.22 MEPWPLLLLFSLCSAGLVLG 348 2159.67 2160.22 MSRLPVLLLLQLLVRPGLQ 349 2159.75 2160.22, 2161.68 MDWTWRVFCLLAVAPGAHS 350 2160.54 2160.22, 2161.68 MEMLQGLLLLLLLSMGGAWA 351 2160.72 2160.22, 2161.68 MKSFLLVVNALALTLPFLAV 352 2160.73 2160.22, 2161.68 MKLMVLVFTIGLTLLLGVQA 353 2160.79 2160.22, 2161.68 MDLRQFLMCLSLCTAFALS 354 2163.65 2161.68 MIFLTALPLFWIMISASRG 355 2167.7 2167.09, 2167.78, 2168.75 MLPCLVVLLAALLSLRLGSDA 356 2168.72 2167.09, 2167.78, 2168.75 MTPGALLMLLGALGAPLAPGVRG 24 2176.71 2177.51 MQAAWLLGALVVPQLLGFGHG 25 2178.62 2177.51, 2179.25 MEKIPVSAFLLLVALSYTLA 26 2179.69 2179.25 MHSFPPLLLLLFWGVVSHS 27 2180.64 2179.25 MILFKQATYFISLFATVSC 357 2183.65 2184.93 MAPLALHLLVLVPILLSLVAS 358 2183.81 2184.93, 2185.65 MMLHSALGLCLLLVTVSSNLA 28 2186.71 2184.93, 2185.65, 2186.28 MVVALRYVWPLLLCSPCLL 359 2189.81 2190.18, 2191.02 MRAPGCGRLVLPLLLLAAAALA 360 2190.78 2190.18, 2191.02 MRLFLWNAVLTLFVTSLIG 361 2194.71 2192.84, 2196.47 MALPVTALLLPLALLLHAARP 362 2194.79 2192.84, 2196.47 MIFLLLMLSLELQLHQIAA 363 2197.77 2196.47 MRGMKLLGALLALAALLQGAVS 364 2197.77 2196.47 MKLVSVALMYLGSLAFLGADT 365 2200.68 2199.82, 2201.22 MGPLMVLFCLLFLYPGLADS 366 2200.74 2199.82, 2201.22 MKALLALPLLLLLSTPPCAPQ 367 2203.81 2204.22 MIASQFLSALTLVLLIKESGA 368 2205.68 2204.22, 2207.1 MGLSTVPDLLLPLVLLELLVG 369 2205.76 2204.22, 2207.1 MKTLQSTLLLLLLVPLIKPA 370 2205.85 2204.22, 2207.1 MALLLALSLLVLWTSPAPTLS 29 2210.74 2211.58 MAARLLLLGILLLLLPLPVPA 30 2210.92 2211.58 MSACRSFAVAICILEISILTA 31 2212.71 2211.58 MKWVESIFLIFLLNFTES 371 2217.65 2216.77, 2218.45, 2219.3 MAPVAVWAALAVGLELWAAAHA 372 2218.64 2216.77, 2218.45, 2219.3, 2220.56 MRWALLVLLAFLSPASQKSS 373 2218.69 2216.77, 2218.45, 2219.3, 2220.56 MKGFTATLFLWTUFPSCSG 374 2220.67 2219.3, 2220.56 MGTSLLCWMALCLLGADHADT 375 2222.64 2222.74 MELSWHVVFIALLSFSCWG 32 2225.65 2226.96 MGAMTQLLAGVFLAFLALATEG 33 2225.69 2226.96 MYRMQLLSCIALSLALVTNS 34 2227.72 2226.96, 2228.22 MGLGPVFLLLAGIFPFAPPGAAA 35 2227.74 2226.96, 2228.22 MEHSTFLSGLVLATLLSQVSP 376 2230.6 2231.6 

TABLE 15 Signal Peptide m/z Amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. MW of the corresponding peak MKTLQFFFLFCCWKAICC 377 2232.82 2231.6 MVLQTQVFISLLLWISGAYG 378 2239.7 2239.71 MVLQTQVFISLLLWISGAYG 379 2239.7 2239.71 MVLQTQVFISLLLWISGAYG 380 2239.7 2239.71 MMWPMHTPLLLLTALMVAVA 381 2239.88 2239.71 MSPFLYLVLLVLGLHATIHC 382 2240.79 2239.71 MRPAFALCLLWQALWPGPGGG 383 2241.7 2239.71 MEAPAQLLFLLLLWLPDTTG 384 2242.7 2244.01 MEAPAQLLFLLLLWLPDTTG 385 2242.7 2244.01 MWATLPLLCAGAWLLGVPVCGA 386 2242.78 2244.01 MVRLPLQCVLWGCLLTAVHP 387 2249.82 2251.78 MNQTAILICCLIFLTLSGIQG 388 2252.77 2251.78 MIPARFAGVLLALALILPGTLC 36 2253.88 2254.83 MAQGVLWILLGLLLWSDPGTA 37 2254.72 2254.83, 2256.53 MILNKALLLGALALTAVMSPCGG 389 2257.84 2256.53 MWRCPLGLLLLLPLAGHLALG 390 2257.87 2256.53 MRPADLLQLVLLLDLPRDLG 391 2261.75 2261.91 MKASAALLCLLLTAAAFSPQGLA 392 2261.77 2261.91 MRLLILALLGICSLTAYIVEG 393 2262.84 2261.91 MKVVPSLLLSVLLAQVWLVPG 394 2262.87 2261.91 MAAAGQLCLLYLSAGLLSRLGAA 395 2263.74 2261.91 MEQGKGLAVLILAIILLQGTLA 396 2265.82 2266.45 MALPFVLLMALVVLNCKSICS 397 2265.92 2266.45 MRLLWGLIWASSFFTLSLQ 398 2269.73 2268.58 MRLLWGLIWASSFFTLSLQ 399 2269.73 2268.58 MMGLSLASAVLLASLLSLHLGTA 400 2269.79 2268.58 MSLLVVSMACVGFFLLQGAWP 401 2269.81 2268.58 MSDLLSVFLHLLLLFKLVAP 402 2269.86 2268.58 MKVTGIFLLSALALLSLSGNTGA 38 2277.75 2276.04, 2278.67 MASRWAVQLLLVAAWSMGCGE 39 2279.72 2278.67, 2281.09 MKLLHVFLLFLCFHLRFC 403 2280.92 2281.09 MRPSGTAGAALLALLAALCPASRA 404 2282.75 2281.09 MTNKCLLQIALLLCFSTTALS 405 2284.82 2285.01 MDMWTALLILQALLLPSLADG 406 2285.79 2285.01 MGSQVHLLSFLLLWISDTRA 407 2287.7 2289.43 MGSPGMVLGLLVQIWALQEASS 408 2287.72 2289.43 MILNKALLLGALALTTVMSPCGG 409 2287.86 2289.43 MAELPGPFLCGALLGFLCLSGLA 40 2293.83 2292.35 MGLFMIIAILLFQKPTVTEQ 41 2293.85 2292.35 MEAPAAGLFLLLLLGTWAPAPGS 410 2296.75 2295.92, 2296.92 MGPWGWKLRWTVALLLAAAGT 411 2298.78 2296.92 MFSLKTLPFLLLLHVQISKA 412 2299.89 2301.71 MLGQVVTLILLLLLKVYQGKG 413 2299.93 2301.71 MVYKTLFALCILTAGWRVQS 414 2300.81 2301.71, 2302.5 MQIELSTCFFLCLLRFCFS 415 2301.82 2301.71, 2302.5, 2303.21 MVPPKLHVLFCLCGCLAVVYP 416 2302.94 2301.71, 2302.5, 2303.21

TABLE 16 Signal Peptide m/z Amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. MW of the corresponding peak MKSIYFVAGLFVMLVQGSWQ 417 2304.79 2303.21, 2305.43 MILNKALMLGALALTTVMSPCGG 418 2305.9 2305.43, 2307.22 MILNKALMLGALALTTVMSPCGG 419 2305.9 2305.43, 2307.22 MILNKALMLGALALTTVMSPCGG 420 2305.9 2305.43, 2307.22 MQMSPALTCLVLGLALVFGEGSA 421 2308.79 2307.22 MRALWVLGLCCVLLTFGSVRA 422 2308.89 2307.22 MMWTWALWMLPSLCKFSLA 423 2315.9 2314.24, 2314.81, 2317.68 MTAAAGSAGRAAVPLLLCALLAPGGA 424 2323.8 2325.3 MWKRWLALALALVAVAWVRA 425 2324.9 2325.3 MRLSVCLLMVSLALCCYQAHA 426 2325.91 2325.3, 2327.73 MALTFALLVALLVLSCKSSCSVG 427 2326.9 2325.3, 2327.73 MDAMKRGLCCVLLLCGAVFVSP 428 2326.94 2325.3, 2327.73 MASRLTLLTLLLLLLAGDRASS 429 2328.84 2327.73 MLLAWVQAFLVSNMLLAEAYG 430 2340.82 2341.14 MRLSVCLLLLTLALCCYRANA 431 2340.95 2341.14, 2342.87 MTSSRLWFSLLLAAAFAGRATA 432 2341.76 2341.14, 2342.87 MEAPAQLLFLLLLWLPDTTR 433 2341.84 2341.14, 2342.87 MKWKALFTAAILQAQLPITEA 434 2344.84 2342.87, 2344.45 MEIKHLLFLVAAACLLPMLSM 435 2345.02 2344.45 MPRPRLLAALCGALLCAPSLLVA 436 2349.98 2351.97 MASPFALLMVLVVLSCKSSCSLG 437 2356.94 2357.54 MKVSAALLCLLLIAATFIPQGLA 438 2357.98 2357.54 MGHPPLLPLLLLLHTCVPASWG 439 2365.92 2367.75 MRLSWFRVLTVLSICLSAVAT 440 2366.91 2367.75 MGLPRLVCAFLLAACCCCPRVAG 441 2368.01 2367.75 MESRVLLRTFCLIFGLGAVWG 442 2368.88 2367.75 MVGKMWPVLWTLCAVRVTVDA 443 2375.93 2375.59 MRVLSGTSLMLCSLLLLLQALC 444 2379.03 2378.35 MQVSTAALAVLLCTMALCNQVLS 445 2380.92 2380.39 MLGPCMLLLLLLLGLRLQLSLG 446 2381.12 2380.39 MARRSVLYFILLNALINKGQA 447 2391.9 2393.64 MRRLLEPCWWILFLKITSS 448 2392.95 2393.64 MLLLARCLLLVLVSSLLVCSGLA 449 2401.11 2402.11 MDTSPLCFSILLVLCIFIQSSA 450 2401.92 2402.11 MERMLPLLALGLLAAGFCPAVLC 451 2403.06 2402.11, 2404.01 MLWLFQSLLFVFCFGPGNVVS 452 2404.91 2404.01, 2406.49 MGTGGRRGAAAAPLLVAVAALLLGAAG 453 2405.89 2404.01, 2406.49 MLSCRLQCALAALSIVLALGCVTG 454 2407 2406.49 MKPVWVATLLWMLLLVPRLGA 455 2408.09 2406.49 MKLCVTVLSLLMLVAAFCSPALS 456 2411.08 2412.79 MAQSLALSLLILVLAFGIPRTQG 457 2412.96 2412.79, 2414.25 MALKNKFSCLWILGLCLVATTS 458 2412.99 2412.79, 2414.25 MELWGAYLLLCLFSLLTQVTT 459 2415.93 2414.25, 2415.2, 2416.3 MFSFVDLRLLLLLAATALLTHG 460 2415.96 2414.25, 2415.2, 2416.3 MKVSEAALSLLVLILIITSASRS 461 2415.96 2414.25, 2415.2, 2416.3 MAGCVPLLQGLVLVLALHRVEPS 462 2415.98 2414.25, 2415.2, 2416.3

TABLE 17 Signal Peptide m/z Amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. MW of the corresponding peak MARSLVCLGVIILLSAFSGPGVRG 463 2416.97 2415.2, 2416.3 MPSSVSWGILLLAGLCCLVPVSLA 464 2430.02 2431.13 MAQHHLWILLLCLQTWPEAAG 465 2431.9 2431.13 MSRTAYTVGALLLLLGTLLPAAEG 466 2431.92 2431.13 MGVPRPQPWALGLLLFLLPGSLG 467 2433 2431.13, 2434.36 MPSPGTVCSLLLLGMLWLDLAMA 468 2433.04 2431.13, 2434.36 MDMRVLAQLLGLLLLCFPGARC 469 2434.08 2434.36 MDMRVPAQLLGLLLLWLPGAKC 470 2439.08 2438.19, 2439.22 MNKLLCCALVFLDISIKWTTQ 471 2441 2439.22 MANLGCWMLVLFVATWSDLGLC 472 2443.98 2444.37 MLQGPGSLLLLFLASHCCLGSARG 473 2444.95 2444.37 MARRAGGARMFGSLLLFALLAAGV 474 2450 2451.9 MMKTLLLFVGLLLTWESGQVLG 475 2450.04 2451.9 MRVLGGRCGALLACLLLVLPVSEA 476 2455.08 2453.96, 2455.96, 2456.62 MRGANAWAPLCLLLAAATQLSRQ 477 2455.92 2453.96, 2455.96, 2456.62 MGELMAFLLPLIIVLMVKHSDS 478 2458.07 2456.62, 2459.43 MAGPLRAPLLLLAILAVALAVSPAAG 479 2470.1 2470.97 MTPWLGLIVLLGSWSLGDWGAEA 480 2472.88 2470.97 MFARMSDLHVLLLMALVGKTACG 481 2478.09 2478.17, 2479.28 MAPFEPLASGILLLLWLIAPSRA 482 2480.05 2478.17, 2479.28 MPMGSLQPLATLYLLGMLVASCLG 483 2480.1 2478.17, 2479.28 MAHRPPSPALASVLLALLLSGAARA 484 2484 2484.18 MKGPPTFCSLLLLSLLLSPDPTAA 485 2486.02 2484.18 MGKNKLLHPSLVLLLLVLLPTDA 486 2499.14 2500.4 MDRGTLPLAVALLLASCSLSPTSLA 42 2500.99 2500.4, 2502.64 MPGFLVRILPLLLVLLLLGPTRG 43 2502.23 2500.4, 2502.64 MKPIQKLLAGLILLTWCVEGCSS 44 2504.1 2502.64, 2504.73 MGLGARGAWAALLLGTLQVLALLGAA 487 2508.06 2507.42, 2509.21 MARLQTALLVVLVLLAVALQATEA 488 2508.1 2507.42, 2509.21 MAGPPRLLLLPLLLALARGLPGALA 489 2508.19 2507.42, 2509.21 MDHLGASLWPQVGSLCLLLAGAAW 490 2509.97 2509.21 MGPPHSGPGGVRVGALLLLGVLGLVSG 491 2511.02 2509.21 MLTLQTWLVQALFIFLTTESTG 492 2513.97 2515.26 MERGAGAKLLPLLLLLRATGFTCA 493 2516.1 2515.26, 2517.43 MARSFSLLMVVLVLSYKSICSLG 494 2518.13 2517.43, 2519.07 MGIPMGKSMLVLLTFLAFASCCIA 495 2518.21 2517.43, 2519.07 MGSGPRGALSLLLLLLAPPSRPAAGC 496 2519.06 2517.43, 2519.07 MQIITTALVCLLLAGMWPEDVDS 497 2520.01 2519.07 MPLLLYTCLLWLPTSGLWTVQA 498 2520.09 2519.07 MQLPLALCLVCLLVHTAFRVVEG 499 2526.15 2527.31 MDMRVPAQLLGLLLLWLRGARC 500 2526.16 2527.31 MAVMAPRTLVLLLSGALALTQTWA 501 2528.11 2527.31 MAVMAPRTLVLLLSGALALTQTWA 502 2528.11 2527.31 MAVMAPRTLVLLLSGALALTQTWA 503 2528.11 2527.31 MAVMAPRTLVLLLSGALALTQTWA 504 2528.11 2527.31 MAVMAPRTLVLLLSGALALTQTWA 505 2528.11 2527.31

TABLE 18 Signal Peptide m/z Amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. MW of the corresponding peak MAVMAPRTLVLLLSGALALTQTWA 506 2528.11 2527.31 MAVMAPRTLVLLLSGALALTQTWA 507 2528.11 2527.31 MAVMAPRTLVLLLSGALALTQTWA 508 2528.11 2527.31 MKSIILFVLSLLLILEKQAAVMG 509 2531.24 2531.06, 2532.26 MGRGLLRGLWPLHIVLWTRIAS 510 2546.12 2546.08 MGLTSQLLPPLFFLLACAGNFVHG 511 2547.07 2546.08 MRIHYLLFALLFLFLVPVPGHG 512 2554.18 2554.96 MARLGNCSLTWAALIILLLPGSLE 513 2556.12 2554.96 MAFDVSCFFWVVLFSAGCKVITS 514 2558.07 2559.48 MQRGAALCLRLWLCLGLLDGLVSG 515 2559.14 2559.48 MLPPAIHFYLLPLACILMKSCLA 516 2559.29 2559.48 MCPRAARAPATLLLALGAVLWPAAGA 517 2562.13 2564.01 MKASSLAFSLLSAAFYLLWTPSTG 518 2563.01 2564.01 MAPRGCIVAVFAIFCISRLLCSHG 519 2565.17 2564.01 MAPAMESPTLLCVALLFFAPDGVLA 520 2578.14 2578.45 MSFPCKFVASFLLIFNVSSKGAVS 521 2580.1 2578.45, 2581.25 MRVMAPQALLLLLSGALALIETWA 522 2582.2 2581.25, 2583.37 MMSFVQKGSWLLLALLHPTIILA 523 2583.23 2581.25, 2583.37, 2584.81 MRVTAPRTVLLLLSGALALTETWA 524 2584.12 2583.37, 2584.81 MRVTAPRTVLLLLSGALALTETWA 525 2584.12 2583.37, 2584.81 MRVMAPRALLLLLSGGLALTETWA 526 2584.18 2583.37, 2584.81 MRVMAPRALLLLLSGGLALTETWA 527 2584.18 2583.37, 2584.81 MLVMAPRTVLLLLSAALALTETWA 528 2585.2 2583.37, 2584.81, 2587.01 MLVMAPRTVLLLLSAALALTETWA 529 2585.2 2583.37, 2584.81, 2587.01 MLVMAPRTVLLLLSAALALTETWA 530 2585.2 2583.37, 2584.81, 2587.01 MLVMAPRTVLLLLSAALALTETWA 531 2585.2 2583.37, 2584.81, 2587.01 MLVMAPRTVLLLLSAALALTETWA 532 2585.2 2583.37, 2584.81, 2587.01 MLVMAPRTVLLLLSAALALTETWA 533 2585.2 2583.37, 2584.81, 2587.01 MLVMAPRTVLLLLSAALALTETWA 534 2585.2 2583.37, 2584.81, 2587.01 MLVMAPRTVLLLLSAALALTETWA 535 2585.2 2583.37, 2584.81, 2587.01 MLVMAPRTVLLLLSAALALTETWA 536 2585.2 2583.37, 2584.81, 2587.01 MARKSNLPVLLVPFLLCQALVRC 537 2585.27 2583.37, 2584.81, 2587.01 MRGTPKTHLLAFSLLCLLSKVRT 538 2586.2 2584.81, 2587.01 MKYTSYILAFQLCIVLGSLGCYC 539 2590.17 2588.9 MRLPRRAALGLLPLLLLLPPAPEA 540 2592.27 2593.68 MQTPRASPPRPALLLLLLLLGGAHG 541 2593.17 2593.68 MGSRAELCTLLGGFSFLLLLIPGEG 542 2595.11 2593.68, 2596.11 MAAAAATKILLCLPLLLLLSGWSRA 543 2597.26 2596.11 MALWMRLLPLLALLALWGPDPAAA 544 2604.25 2603.33 MRQTLPCIYFWGGLLPFGMLCAS 545 2605.19 2603.33 MKENVASATVFTLLLFLNTCLLNG 546 2613.13 2613.31, 2614.91 MGNSCYNIVATLLLVLNFERTRS 547 2615.06 2613.31, 2614.91 MEKKCTLYFLVLLPFFMILVTA 548 2621.34 2622.46 MAPSSPRPALPALLVLLGALFPGPGNA 549 2628.17 2629.26 MRQSHQLPLVGLLLFSFIPSQLC 550 2628.19 2629.26 MRVMAPRTLILLLSGALALTETWA 551 2628.23 2629.26

TABLE 19 Signal Peptide m/z Amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. MW of the corresponding peak MRVMAPRTLILLLSGALALTETWA 552 2628.23 2629.26 MRVMAPRTLILLLSGALALTETWA 553 2628.23 2629.26 MRVMAPRTLILLLSGALALTETWA 554 2628.23 2629.26 MRVMAPRTLLLLLSGALALTETWA 555 2628.23 2629.26 MRVMAPRTLILLLSGALALTETWA 556 2628.23 2629.26 MRVMAPRTLILLLSGALALTETWA 557 2628.23 2629.26 MRVMAPRTLILLLSGALALTETWA 558 2628.23 2629.26 MRVMAPRTLILLLSGALALTETWA 559 2628.23 2629.26 MAAVVAATRWWQLLLVLSAAGMGASG 560 2631.15 2629.26 MAGPAIHTAPMLFLVLLLPLELSLA 561 2632.3 2633.69 MLGARLRLWVCALCSVCSMSVLRA 45 2639.31 2640.51 MGQPSLTWMLMVVVASWFITTAAT 46 2642.18 2640.51, 2641.73 MSEVPVARVWLVLLLLTVQVGVTAG 562 2651.25 2652.85 MALPPGPAALRHTLLLLPALLSSGWG 563 2653.22 2652.85, 2655.08 MASSPWGCVCGLLLLLLPLLGTGPALG 564 2653.29 2652.85, 2655.08 MDMRVPAQLLGLLLLWLRRVRC 565 2653.35 2652.85, 2655.08 MLVMAPRTVLLLLWGAVALTETWA 566 2656.28 2655.08 MAVTDSLSRAATVLATVLLLSFGSVAA 567 2665.14 2665.15 MSAPKLLSLGCIFFPLLLFQQARA 568 2665.29 2665.15 MRVTAPRTVLLLLWGAVALTETWA 569 2669.22 2670 MRVTAPRTVLLLLWGAVALTETWA 570 2669.22 2670 MRVTAPRTVLLLLWGAVALTETWA 571 2669.22 2670 MRVTAPRTVLLLLWGAVALTETWA 572 2669.22 2670 MRVTAPRTVLLLLWGAVALTETWA 573 2669.22 2670 MRVTAPRTVLLLLWGAVALTETWA 574 2669.22 2670 MRVTAPRTVLLLLWGAVALTETWA 575 2669.22 2670 MGAGATGRAMDGPRLLLLLLLGVSLGGA 576 2681.25 2682.8 MYLWLKLLAFGFAFLDTEVFVTG 577 2682.22 2682.8 MRVTAPRTLLLLLWGAVALTETWA 578 2683.25 2682.8 MRVTAPRTLLLLLWGAVALTETWA 579 2683.25 2682.8 MRVTAPRTLLLLLWGAVALTETWA 580 2683.25 2682.8 MRVTAPRTLLLLLWGAVALTETWA 581 2683.25 2682.8 MRVTAPRTLLLLLWGAVALTETWA 582 2683.25 2682.8 MRVTAPRTLLLLLWGAVALTETWA 583 2683.25 2682.8 MRVTAPRTLLLLLWGAVALTETWA 584 2683.25 2682.8 MAGLMTIVTSLLFLGVCAHHIIPTGS 585 2683.28 2682.8 MAAGSRTSLLLAFGLLCLSWLQEGSA 586 2696.17 2696.41, 2697.73 MRVTAPRTLLLLLWGALALTETWA 47 2697.28 2696.41, 2697.73, 2698.27 MRVTAPRTLLLLLWGALALTETWA 48 2697.28 2696.41, 2697.73, 2698.27 MRVTAPRTLLLLLWGALALTETWA 49 2697.28 2696.41, 2697.73, 2698.27 MRVTAPRTLLLLLWGALALTETWA 50 2697.28 2696.41, 2697.73, 2698.27 MRVTAPRTLLLLLWGALALTETWA 51 2697.28 2696.41, 2697.73, 2698.27 MAAASRSASGWALLLLVALWQQRAAG 52 2699.17 2697.73, 2698.27, 2699.82 MALKVLLEQEKTFFTLLVLLGYLSCKVTC 587 3305.1 3303.21 MESRGPLATSRLLLLLLLLLLRHTRQGWA 53 3329.06 3330.34

TABLE 20 Signal Peptide m/z Amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. MW of the corresponding peak VVFLTLSVTWIGA 588 1405.7 1405.71, 1406.49 VVFLTLSVTWIGA 589 1405.7 1405.71, 1406.49 VVFLTLSVTWIGA 590 1405.7 1405.71, 1406.49 MGSRFLLVLLSGAS 591 1450.77 1451.61 MLRLYVLVMGVSA 592 1451.86 1451.61 MRALAVLSVTLVMA 593 1474.9 1476.87 MALLLLSLGLSLIAA 594 1498.94 1497.16, 1498.88 MNRVLCAPAAGAVRA 595 1499.83 1498.88 MNPLLILAFVGAAVA 596 1499.88 1498.88 MKTLFLGVTLGLAAA 597 1505.89 1505.52 MKTLFLGVTLGLAAA 598 1505.89 1505.52 MQSRLLLLGAPGGHG 599 1506.79 1508.76, 1505.52 MLLLPLLLPVLGAGS 600 1506.96 1508.76, 1505.52 MKLGLLCALLSLLAG 601 1515.99 1516.64 MILPLHNLGNGVRS 54 1520.82 1521.93 MAPPLLLLLLASGAAA 55 1521.93 1521.93 MLGITVLAALLACASS 602 1533.92 1533.52 MRTLLTILTVGSLAA 603 1559.94 1560.24 MRLLTLLGLLCGSVA 604 1560 1560.24 MGLLLLVLILTPSLA 605 1567.05 1566.2 MGLTLLLLLLLGLEG 606 1569.03 1567.74, 1567.2 MVPLVPALVMLGLVAG 607 1580.08 1580.91 MKIIILLGFLGATLS 608 1590.05 1589.58 MKVLLLTGLGALFFA 609 1594.04 1592.55 MLLATLLLLLLGGALA 610 1596.1 1597.25 MAMGLFRVCLVVVTA 611 1610.09 1610.62, 1609.36, 1608.53 MKLLVILLFSGLITG 612 1618.1 1616.12 MLLILLSVALLALSSA 56 1628.09 1629.15 MLLILLSVALLALSSA 57 1628.09 1629.15 MTLRLLVAALCAGILA 58 1629.11 1629.15 MMLRLLSSLLLVAVA 59 1630.14 1629.15 MMLRLLSSLLLVAVA 60 1630.14 1629.15 MVLLLLVAIPLLVHS 61 1631.14 1629.15 MLPLLLGLLGPAACWA 613 1639.1 1639.39, 1640.36 MRVLACLLAALVGIQA 614 1642.11 1640.36 MLLVLLSVVLLALSSA 615 1642.12 1640.36 MTVFLSFAFLAAILT 616 1645.04 1646.36 MNFILFIFIPGVFS 617 1645.04 1646.36 MNYSPGLVSLILLLL 618 1646.07 1646.36 MELRVLLCWASLAAA 619 1647.04 1646.36 MAAPALLLLALLLPVGA 620 1647.14 1646.36 MVLAQGLLSMALLALC 621 1647.15 1646.36 MAAQAAAAAQAAAAQAAQA 622 1656.84 1655.72, 1657.97 MKTGLFFLCLLGTAAA 623 1657.08 1655.72, 1657.97 MPVTFALLLLLGQATA 624 1659.07 1657.97, 1659.24, 1660.46 MSVPLLKIGVVLSTMA 625 1659.13 1657.97, 1659.24, 1660.46

TABLE 21 Signal Peptide m/z Amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. MW of the corresponding peak MAILPLLLCLLPLAPA 626 1662.22 1662.16, 1660.46 MQARALLLAALAALALA 62 1681.12 1682.54, 1683.12 MDAPARLLAPLLLLCA 63 1681.14 1682.54, 1683.12 MKLLLWACIVCVAFA 64 1681.21 1682.54, 1683.12 MGSRCALALAVLSALLC 65 1692.15 1691.75, 1691.08 MACAAVMIPGLLRCSVG 66 1692.17 1691.75, 1691.08 MKRLVCVLLVCSSAVA 67 1692.19 1691.75, 1691.08 MNLSLVLAAFCLGIASA 627 1694.09 1694.76, 1695.74 MGGAGILLLLLAGAGVVVA 628 1695.15 1694.76 MWPLALVIASLTLALS 629 1699.13 1700.65 MLRGTLLCAVLGLLRA 630 1700.19 1700.65, 1702.19 MAAGVVFLALSAQLLQA 631 1703.08 1702.19 MAAGVVFLALSAQLLQA 632 1703.08 1702.19 MHLLPALAGVLATLVLA 633 1703.17 1702.19 MKPPFLLALVVCSVVS 634 1703.19 1702.19 MALLLVSLLAFLSLGSG 68 1705.14 1705.53 MNPTLILAAFCLGIASA 69 1706.11 1705.53 MPWPLLLLLAVSGAQT 635 1710.12 1708.77, 1712.1 MLLLGILTLAFAGRTAG 636 1718.14 1719.51 MDVLFVAIFAVPLILG 637 1718.18 1719.51 MFVLLYVTSFAICASG 638 1722.1 1721.61 MARTRDRVRLLLLL 639 1726.17 1726.31 MKFTIVFAGLLGVFLA 640 1727.19 1726.31 MRIAVICFCLLGITCA 641 1727.26 1726.31 MSSSSWLLLSLVAVTAA 642 1736.06 1737.85 MAPKLITVLCLGFCLN 643 1736.24 1737.85 MAVLFLLLFLCGTPQA 644 1737.21 1737.85 MRLALLWALGLLGAGSP 645 1739.16 1739.71, 1737.85 MVGCGVAVLCLWVSCGAA 646 1739.18 1739.71, 1737.85 MAFLGLFSLLVLQSMA 647 1741.19 1739.71 MLGSLGLWALLPTAVEA 648 1742.11 1743.69 MKKLMVVLSLIAAAWA 649 1745.27 1743.69 MWPLVAALLLGSACCGSA 650 1763.18 1761.79 MPLSPGLLLLLLSGATAT 651 1768.19 1769.93 MGWLFLKVLLAGVSFS 652 1768.2 1769.93 MGAAGLLGVFLALVAPGVL 653 1769.23 1769.93 MGLLLLVPLLLLPGSYG 654 1769.27 1769.93 MIAFLLTSVLMIPHAGG 655 1771.22 1769.93 MKATIILLLLAQVSWA 656 1771.24 1769.93 MAARAVFLALSAQLLQA 657 1774.16 1774.13, 1775.7 MWTLVSWVALTAGLVAG 658 1775.15 1775.7, 1774.13 MSQVMSSPLLAGGHAVSL 659 1785.12 1786.39 MLLPALLFGMAWALADG 660 1790.23 1790.8 MVLLCLFLASLAATPRA 661 1790.27 1790.8 MWFLTTLLLWVPVDG 662 1791.19 1790.8 MWFLTTLLLWVPVDG 663 1791.19 1790.8

TABLE 22 Signal Peptide m/z Amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. MW of the corresponding peak MLLLLLLLPLLWGTKG 664 1794.36 1796.23 MSAVGLVLLVLALRLRA 665 1795.31 1796.23 MLPRLLLLICAPLCEP 666 1795.35 1796.23 MLARALLLCAVLALSHT 667 1796.28 1796.23, 1797.49 MRLHLLLLLALCGAGTT 668 1796.28 1796.23, 1797.49 LSKQQASQVLVRKRR 669 1797.14 1796.23, 1797.49 MWPLTALLLLVPSSGQA 670 1797.19 1796.23, 1797.49 MAGLAARLVLLAGAAALASG 671 1797.2 1796.23, 1797.49 MWLFFGITGLLTAALSG 672 1798.18 1796.23, 1797.49 MAVPARTCGASRPGPART 673 1799.11 1797.49, 1800.34 MWAQLLLGMLALSPAIA 674 1799.28 1797.49, 1800.34 MDFGLALLLAGLLGLLLG 675 1800.28 1800.34, 1801.79 MRTLLLVLWLATRGSA 676 1801.23 1800.34, 1801.79 MVPHLLLLCLLPLVRA 677 1801.38 1800.34, 1801.79 MFLLLALLTELGRLQA 678 1802.26 1800.34, 1801.79 MWLLGPLCLLLSSAAES 679 1804.21 1804.45 MLLGWASLLLCAFRLP 680 1804.3 1804.45 MALRHLALLAGLLVGVAS 681 1805.26 1804.45 MPLQLLLLLILLGPGNS 682 1805.3 1804.45 MTFGTVLLLSVLASYHG 683 1809.16 1810.72 MRLLFLAVLRPHTGNA 684 1809.21 1810.72 MLQGLLPVSLLLSVAVSA 685 1811.26 1810.72, 1812.31 MALGACGLLLLLAVPGVSL 686 1811.33 1810.72, 1812.31 MRIMLLFTAILAFSLA 687 1811.33 1810.72, 1812.31 MPPPPPLLLLTVLVVAAA 688 1812.34 1810.72, 1812.31, 1813.77 MCLLSSSAASDLAATSLTA 689 1813.08 1812.31, 1813.77 MSKQQASQVLVRKRR 690 1815.18 1813.77 MRALVLLLSLFLLGGQA 691 1815.3 1813.77, 1817.26 MKIITYFCIWAVAWA 692 1816.27 1817.26 MLVIWILTLALRLCAS 693 1816.35 1817.26 MVLLRLLVFLFAPVVS 694 1817.36 1817.26, 1818.66, 1819.34 MAPRPLLLLLLLLGGSAA 695 1819.33 1818.66, 1819.34, 1819.93 MITFLPLLLGLSLGCTGA 70 1820.29 1818.66, 1819.34, 1819.93, 1821.71 MLAVLYLLVKTAKLGTS 71 1821.3 1819.34, 1819.93, 1821.71 MAPPAARLALLSAAALTLA 72 1822.25 1821.71, 1822.73 MRPLLGLLLVFAGCTFA 73 1822.31 1821.71, 1822.73 MLLFALLLAMELPLVAA 696 1829.39 1829.48 MPPLLAPLLCLALLPALA 697 1830.42 1829.48, 1831.81, 1832.41 MHAALAGPLLAALLATARA 698 1832.25 1831.81, 1832.41 MPSLLLLFTAALLSSWA 74 1834.26 1832.41, 1836.18 MAFRQALQLAACGLAGGSA 75 1836.17 1836.18, 1837.33 MPLLLLLPLLWAGALAM 76 1836.42 1836.18, 1837.33 MGARGALLLALLLARAGLG 77 1837.31 1836.18, 1837.33 MAAAVVLAAGLRAARRAVA 699 1838.26 1837.33 MGVQAGLFGMLGFLGVALG 700 1838.27 1837.33 MLSLLVWILTLSDTFS 701 1839.23 1840.84, 1837.33

TABLE 23 Signal Peptide m/z Amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. MW of the corresponding peak MVPPVWTLLLLVGAALF 702 1840.35 1840.84 MAPKLLLLLCLFSGLHA 703 1840.37 1840.84 MRDLPLTSLALVLSALGA 704 1841.25 1840.84 MPMDLILVVWFCVCTA 705 1841.36 1840.84 MKGILVAGITAVLVAAVES 706 1842.28 1840.84 MARGSALLLASLLLAAALS 707 1842.28 1840.84 MKAAGILTLIGCLVTGAES 708 1848.26 1849.81 MKAAGILTLIGCLVTGAES 709 1848.26 1849.81 MWLPPALLLLSLSGCFS 710 1848.31 1849.81 MARKALKLASWTSMALA 711 1849.3 1849.81 MLHLLALFLHCLPLASG 712 1849.34 1849.81 MWRVLFLLSGLGGLRM 713 1849.34 1849.81 MRPGPALLLLGVGLSLSVG 714 1850.3 1849.81 MDWTWRILFLVAAATG 715 1851.2 1849.81 MLPPWTLGLLLLATVRG 716 1851.33 1849.81 MLLRGVLLALQALQLAGA 717 1851.33 1849.81 MGAIGLLWLLPLLLSTAA 718 1853.34 1854.68 MACPGFLWALVISTCLE 719 1854.29 1854.68 MWLPALVLATLAASAAWA 720 1856.26 1854.68 MGSLMLLFVETTRNSSA 721 1857.18 1858.34 MNYSLHLAFVCLSLFT 722 1859.25 1858.34 MTAPWVALALLWGSLCAG 723 1860.28 1858.34 MAPAPVTLLAPGAASSMSCS 724 1862.22 1864.19 MTSSLLLAFLLLAPTTVA 725 1862.31 1864.19 MGSCARLLLLWGCTVVAA 726 1864.33 1864.19, 1866.06 MAAAGAAVARSPGIGAGPALR 727 1865.19 1864.19, 1866.06 MKILCIFLTFVFTVSC 728 1865.4 1866.06, 1864.19 MRLLVAPLLLAWVAGATA 729 1866.35 1866.06 MKPLLLAISLSLIAALQA 730 1866.38 1866.06 MLFLQFLLLALLLPGGD 731 1874.36 1875.28 MAGSLTGLLLLQAVSWASG 732 1875.22 1875.28, 1876.5 LGLCWVFLVALLRGVLC 733 1875.42 1875.28, 1876.5 MKLFWLLFTIGFCWA 734 1876.36 1875.28, 1876.5, 1878.25 MALRRLGAALLLLPLLAA 735 1876.43 1875.28, 1876.5, 1878.25 MIPAVVLLLLLLVEQAAA 736 1877.41 1878.25, 1876.5 MPPMLWLLLHFAAPALG 737 1878.38 1878.25, 1876.5 MALLALLLVVALPRVWT 738 1879.43 1878.25 MQEAIILLALLGAMSGGEA 739 1888.28 1890.21 MGTLPWLLAFFILGLQA 740 1891.35 1890.21, 1891.32, 1893 MLTTLLPILLLSGWAFC 741 1892.4 1891.32, 1893 MAPARLFALLLFFVGGVA 742 1893.37 1893 MLKALFLTMLTLALVKS 743 1893.47 1893 MLLWILLLETSLCFAAG 744 1894.37 1893 MAPLALVGVTLLLAAPPCSG 745 1894.38 1893 MRGLGTCLATLAGLLLTAAG 746 1903.34 1904.69 MVAATVAAAWLLLWAAACA 747 1903.35 1904.69

TABLE 24 Signal Peptide m/z Amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. MW of the corresponding peak MLLLSLTLSLVLLGSSWG 748 1903.36 1904.69 MKASVVLSLLGYLVVPSGA 749 1904.35 1904.69 MLLLLLLLPPLLCGRVGA 750 1905.53 1904.69 MWPRLAFCCWGLALVSG 751 1910.36 1911.46 MTALPGPLWLLGLALCALG 752 1910.42 1911.46 MLVAGLLLWASLLTGAWP 753 1912.37 1911.46, 1913.68 MRVFCVGLLLFSVTWAA 754 1913.38 1911.46, 1913.68 MLGIWIVAFLFFGTSRG 755 1915.33 1913.68, 1916.02 MKPQFVGILLSSLLGAALG 756 1915.37 1913.68, 1916.02 MLSLLLLALPVLASRAYA 757 1915.42 1913.68, 1916.02 MVPDTACVLLLTLAALGASG 758 1916.34 1916.02 MARAQALVLALTFQLCAP 759 1917.37 1916.02, 1919.35 MARAQALVLALTFQLCAP 760 1917.37 1916.02, 1919.35 MTTQLGPALVLGVALCLGCG 761 1917.39 1916.02, 1919.35 MGLKALCLGLLCVLFVSH 762 1917.48 1916.02, 1919.35 MKVHMLVGVLVMVGFTVG 763 1917.48 1916.02, 1919.35 MDLWQLLLTLALAGSSDA 764 1918.24 1919.35 MWVPVVFLTLSVTWIGA 765 1919.36 1919.35 MWVPVVFLTLSVTWIGA 766 1919.36 1919.35 MWVPVVFLTLSVTWIGA 767 1919.36 1919.35 MWVPVVFLTLSVTWIGA 768 1919.36 1919.35 MRVYIFLCLMCWVRS 769 1920.47 1919.35 MTAGAGVLLLLLSLSGALRA 770 1927.38 1927.13 MKFFMVLLPASLASTSLA 771 1927.4 1927.13 MRAAGTLLAFCCLVLSTTG 772 1928.37 1927.13 MLCSLLLCECLLLVAGYA 773 1928.48 1927.13 MWLLVSVILISRISSVGG 774 1930.39 1931.84 MKFILLWALLNLTVALA 775 1930.47 1931.84 MKTLAGLVLGLVIFDAAVT 776 1932.4 1931.84 MGPGVLLLLLVATAWHGQG 777 1933.35 1931.84, 1934.86 MARVPPVGALLLLRGSRQ 778 1934.39 1934.86, 1935.52 MLLLFSVILISWVSTVGG 779 1935.4 1934.86, 1935.52, 1936.83 MWQLWASLCCLLVLANA 780 1935.41 1934.86, 1935.52, 1936.83 MLMLFVFGVLLHEVSLS 781 1935.43 1934.86, 1935.52, 1936.83 MRSLLLLSAFCLLEAALA 782 1935.43 1934.86, 1935.52, 1936.83 MQQRGLAIVALAVCAALHA 783 1936.38 1934.86, 1935.52, 1936.83, 1937.87 MGARGALLLALLLARAGLR 784 1936.44 1934.86, 1935.52, 1936.83, 1937.87 MPLALTLLLLSGLGAPGGWG 785 1937.38 1935.52, 1936.83, 1937.87 MAAAGLVAVAAAAEYSGTVASG 786 1938.19 1936.83, 1937.87 MTIALLGFAIFLLHCATC 787 1938.45 1936.83, 1937.87 MIAISAVSSALLFSLLCEA 788 1939.37 1937.87, 1941.22 MWGLLLALAAFAPAVGPALG 789 1939.4 1937.87, 1941.22 MGGPRALLAALWALEAAGTA 790 1940.3 1941.22 MNGLSLSELCCLCCPPCPG 791 1940.41 1941.22 MWGRLWPLLLSILTATA 792 1942.4 1941.22 MLNLLLLALPVLASRAYA 793 1942.44 1941.22

TABLE 25 Signal Peptide m/z Amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. MW of the corresponding peak MLNLLLLALPVLASRAYA 794 1942.44 1941.22 MIHLGHILFLLLLPVAAA 795 1942.49 1941.22 MASHRLLLLCLAGLVFVS 796 1943.45 1944.97 MHYPTALLFLILANGAQA 797 1944.33 1944.97 MQHIFAFFCTGFLGAVVG 798 1945.34 1944.97 MRPFFLLCFALPGLLHA 78 1946.46 1944.97, 1948.39 MLLWPLLLLLLLLPTLA 79 1946.6 1944.97, 1948.39 MYLSICCCFLLWAPALT 80 1948.47 1948.39 MLRILCLALCSLLTGTRA 81 1948.49 1948.39 MLLWASLLAFAPVCGQSAA 82 1949.37 1948.39 CMTALTVTLMVLSSPLALS 799 1951.45 1952.47 MGLIWLLLLSLLEPGWP 800 1951.45 1952.47 MAARPGPLWLLGLTLCALG 801 1953.45 1952.47 MPWTILLFAAGSLAIPAPS 802 1956.38 1957.8 MAPPTGVLSSLLLLVTIAGC 803 1956.44 1957.8 MSTMRLLTLALLFSCSVA 804 1957.46 1957.8 MSISSALAMVFMGAKGNTAA 805 1958.36 1957.8 MKLHCCLFTLVASIIVPA 806 1959.52 1957.8 MLTPPLLLLLPLLSALVAA 807 1959.55 1957.8 MLLFSVLLLLSLVTGTQL 808 1961.48 1962.82 MELVLVFLCSLLAPMVLA 809 1962.56 1962.82 MAPWLQLLSLLGLLPGAVA 810 1963.46 1962.82 MFLLLTALQVLAIAMTQS 811 1964.47 1962.82 MALLVLGLVSCTFFLAVNG 812 1968.46 1969.82 MSLLLLLLLVSYYVGTLG 813 1968.47 1969.82 MSATTACWPAFTVLGEARG 814 1969.27 1969.82 MEKILFYLFLIGIAVKA 815 1969.51 1969.82 MRAPLLPPAPVVLSLLILG 816 1970.54 1969.82 MGSPVSHLLAGFCVWVVLG 817 1972.41 1972.54 MAPAFLLLLLLWPQGCVS 818 1972.49 1972.54 MLLLINVILTLWVSCANG 819 1973.48 1972.54 MRRAWILLTLGLVACVSA 820 1973.48 1972.54 MLKTFTVLLFCIRMSLG 821 1973.54 1972.54 MWILALSLFQSFANVFS 822 1974.36 1975.58 MAGVVHVSLAALLLLPMAPA 823 1974.51 1975.58 MLQLWKLVLLCGVLTGTS 824 1975.49 1975.58, 1976.51 MKTLPVLVLSLTLLTVFS 825 1975.51 1975.58, 1976.51 MTLLLLPLLLASLLASCSC 826 1975.55 1975.58, 1976.51 MRLGSPGLLFLLFSSLRA 827 1978.43 1976.51, 1977.7, 1979.29 MILLAVLFLCFISSYSAS 828 1978.45 1976.51, 1977.7, 1979.29 MLLLLLPLLWGRERAEG 829 1980.45 1979.29 MRTIAILAAILLVALQAQA 830 1980.49 1979.29 MWLSPSLLLLILPGYSIA 831 1987.48 1988.46 MLPLLAALLAAACPLPPVRG 832 1987.55 1988.46 MWGRLLLWPLVLGFSLS 833 1988.47 1988.46 MWSLLLCGLSIALPLSVTA 834 1988.49 1988.46

TABLE 26 Signal Peptide m/z Amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. MW of the corresponding peak MKSVLLLTTLLVPAHLVAA 835 1990.53 1991.91 MKGARLFVLLSSLWSGGIG 836 1992.42 1991.91 MKALMLLTLSVLLCWVSA 837 1992.59 1991.91 MWLPLVLLLAVLLLAVLC 838 1993.68 1991.91, 1995.37 MRAGPGPTVTLALVLAVAWA 839 1994.43 1995.37 MAGIPGLLFLLFFLLCAVG 840 1995.57 1995.37 MVLSLTGLIAFSFLQATLA 841 1996.44 1995.37 MLLWLLLLILTPGREQS 842 1996.49 1995.37 MVLLLVILIPVLVSSAGTSA 843 1996.53 1995.37 MPALGPALLQALWAGWVLT 844 2008.46 2009.91 MKFVPCLLLVTLSCLGTLG 845 2008.59 2009.91 MRFLAATFLLLALSTAAQA 83 2009.45 2009.91, 2011.18 MKALGAVLLALLLCGRPGRG 84 2009.56 2009.91, 2011.18 MVPSAGQLALFALADPPVAAA 85 2010.39 2009.91, 2011.18 MSLLLSFYLLGLLVSSGQA 86 2012.44 2011.18, 2013.86 MLGCGIPALGLLLLLQGSADG 87 2012.47 2011.18, 2013.86 MFPLRALWLVWALLGVAG 846 2013.53 2013.86 MFLSILVALCLWLHLALG 847 2013.59 2013.86 MVLLRVLILLLSWAAGMGG 848 2013.59 2013.86 MKLLPSVVLKLFLAAVLSA 849 2013.6 2013.86 MEPLRLLILLFVTELSGA 850 2015.49 2013.86 MVLLTAVLLLLAAYAGPAQS 851 2015.49 2013.86 MCCWPLLLLWGLLPGTAAG 852 2015.54 2013.86 MRWTIVILLCFCKAAEL 853 2022.62 2023.97 MLNVSGLFVLLCGLLVSSSA 854 2023.49 2023.97 MVPAWLWLLCVSVPQALP 855 2023.54 2023.97 MGAVLRSLLACSFCVLLRA 856 2023.56 2023.97 MKLLSLVAVVGCLLVPPAEA 857 2023.58 2023.97 MDSWFILVLLGSGLICVSA 858 2024.48 2023.97 MGPAWLWLLGTGILASVHC 859 2025.47 2023.97 MLFWVLGLLILCGFLWT 860 2025.6 2023.97 METLLGGLLAFGMAFAVVDA 861 2026.45 2027.73 MRTLTILTAVLLVALQAKA 862 2026.56 2027.73 MYELLVLFMLIQPQSMA 863 2027.55 2027.73 MVRCLGPALLLLLLLGSASS 864 2027.57 2027.73 MELALLCGLVVMAGVIPIQG 865 2027.59 2027.73 MAWFALYLLSLLWATAGT 866 2028.45 2027.73 MWQIVFFTLSCDLVLAAA 867 2028.47 2027.73 MVLCWLLLLVMALPPGTTG 868 2028.62 2027.73 MGFLGTGTWILVLVLPIQA 869 2029.52 2027.73, 2030.95 MEVTCLLLLALIPFHCRG 870 2029.57 2027.73, 2030.95 MVWCLGLAVLSLVISQGADG 871 2032.46 2030.95, 2032.69 MMHLRLFCILLAAVSGAEG 872 2032.53 2030.95, 2032.69 MSPSPTALFCLGLCLGRVPA 873 2033.51 2032.69 MSMLFYTLITAFLIGIQA 874 2033.53 2032.69 MLPCLALLLLMELSVCTVA 875 2033.66 2032.69

TABLE 27 Signal Peptide m/z Amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. MW of the corresponding peak MRQGLLVLALVLVLVLVLA 876 2033.68 2032.69 MDFLLALVLVSSLYLQAAA 877 2038.48 2039.29 MNCQQLWLGFLLPMTVSG 878 2038.49 2039.29 MYGKIIFVLLLSAIVSISA 879 2038.57 2039.29 MYGKIIFVLLLSAIVSISA 880 2038.57 2039.29 MPPFLITLFLFHSCCLR 881 2038.58 2039.29 MAARVAAVRAAAWLLLGAATG 882 2040.47 2039.29 MFLWLFLILSALISSTNA 883 2040.5 2039.29 MEPLCPLLLVGFSLPLARA 884 2040.57 2039.29 MKSPHVLVFLCLLVALVTG 885 2040.61 2039.29 MRPLLCALAGLALLCAVGALA 886 2040.64 2039.29 MQACMVPGLALCLLLGPLAGA 887 2042.63 2043.12 MAWTKYQLFLAGLMLVTG 888 2043.53 2043.12 MTLLPGLLFLTWLHTCLA 889 2043.57 2043.12 MKAPIPHLILLYATFTQS 890 2044.49 2043.12, 2045.68 MRANDALQVLGLLFSLARG 891 2045.44 2045.68 MKRLLLLFLFFITFSSA 892 2047.58 2045.68 MKPLVLLVALLLWPSSVPA 893 2047.62 2045.68 MQLVILRVTIFLPWCFA 894 2050.61 2051.76 MRAPLCLLLLVAHAVDMLA 895 2050.63 2051.76 MGIVCAQCSFILLLSIIRA 896 2051.62 2051.76 MAPSLWKGLVGIGLFALAHA 897 2052.52 2051.76 MGLGLLLPLLLLWTRGTQG 898 2052.56 2051.76 MIPVELLLCYLLLHPVDA 899 2052.58 2051.76 MLPGRLCWVPLLLALGVGSG 900 2052.58 2051.76 MRSEALLLYFTLLHFAGA 901 2053.46 2051.76 MAGTGLLALRTLPGPSWVRG 902 2053.46 2051.76 MLRTSGLALLALVSAVGPSQA 903 2055.47 2055.5 MDFWLWPLYFLPVSGAL 904 2055.47 2055.5 MVGLLLFFFPAIFLEVSL 905 2056.59 2055.5 MTRALCSALRQALLLLAAAA 906 2057.56 2059.05 MRLLLLLLVAASAMVRSEA 907 2057.6 2059.05 MLPGCIFLMILLIPQVKE 908 2058.69 2059.05 MRLAVLFSGALLGLLAAQGTG 909 2059.51 2059.05 MRLLAWLIFLANWGGARA 910 2059.51 2059.05 MALGLLIAVPLLLQAAPRGAA 911 2059.59 2059.05 MTCSPLLLTLLIHCTGSWA 912 2060.54 2059.05 MFQTGGLIVFYGLLAQTMA 913 2061.5 2062.98 MGSGRVPGLCLLVLLVHARA 914 2062.58 2062.98 MMLNLVRYVCVLGNMVHA 915 2063.61 2062.98, 2065.57 MVPRISAAIFIFELLGSNS 916 2065.47 2065.57, 2066.09 MVLLWLTLLLIALPCLLQ 917 2066.73 2065.57, 2066.09 MDSRQAAALLVLLLLIDGGC 918 2072.52 2074.03 MCAFPWLLLLLLLQEGSQ 919 2075.57 2075.32, 2074.03 MSALWLLLGLLALMDLSES 920 2076.55 2075.32 MRALVLLGCLLASLLFSGQA 921 2076.6 2075.32

TABLE 28 Signal Peptide m/z Amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. MW of the corresponding peak MKKFFTVAILAGSVLSTAHG 922 2078.51 2079.8 MALVLILQLLTLWPLCHT 923 2078.66 2079.8 MKLALLLPWACCCLCGSALA 924 2080.7 2079.8 MIVLLLFALLWMVEGVFS 925 2081.66 2079.8 MHSWERLAVLVLLGAAACAA 926 2082.52 2083.74, 2084.36 MPHTLWMVWVLGVIISLS 927 2082.61 2083.74, 2084.36 MGIGCWRNPLLLLIALVLS 928 2082.65 2083.74, 2084.36 MAILMLSLQLILLLIPSIS 929 2082.73 2083.74, 2084.36 MTPACPLLLSVILSLRLATA 930 2083.63 2083.74, 2084.36 MLLALALLLAFLPPASQKSS 931 2084.6 2083.74, 2084.36, 2085.85 MGRPLLLPLLPLLLPPAFL 932 2084.73 2083.74, 2084.36, 2085.85 MAFLPSWVCVLVGSFSASLA 933 2085.52 2083.74, 2084.36, 2085.85 MGPHFTLLCAALAGCLLPAEG 934 2085.55 2083.74, 2084.36, 2085.85 MGVLGRVLLWLQLCALTQA 935 2085.61 2083.74, 2084.36, 2085.85 MLQGTCSVLLLWGILGAIQA 936 2087.58 2085.85, 2089.53 MNGLSLSELCCLFCCPPCPG 937 2087.58 2085.85, 2089.53 MNGLSLSELCCLFCCPPCPG 938 2087.58 2085.85, 2089.53 MALPSLLLLVAALAGGVRPPGA 939 2087.6 2085.85, 2089.53 MPALRPLLPLLLLLRLTSG 940 2087.69 2085.85, 2089.53 MRPRLWLLLAAQLTVLHG 941 2088.6 2089.53 MSWAPVLLMLFVYCTGCGP 942 2088.61 2089.53 MAGIFYFALFSCLFGICDA 943 2089.53 2089.53 MELLPLWLCLGFHFLTVG 944 2089.6 2089.53 MTWLVLLGTLLCMLRVGLG 945 2089.71 2089.53 MSDLGAVISLLLWGRQLFA 946 2090.52 2089.53, 2092.25 MIVFIFLAMGLSLENEYT 88 2091.52 2089.53, 2092.25, 2092.8 MFGTLLLYCFFLATVPALA 89 2091.61 2092.25, 2092.8 MWPLTVPPPLLLLLCSGLAG 90 2091.66 2092.25, 2092.8 MPVIAGGILAALLLLIVWLC 91 2091.78 2092.25, 2092.8 MAGPERWGPLLLCLLQAAPG 92 2093.55 2092.25, 2092.8 MGISTVILEMCLLWGQVLS 93 2093.61 2092.25, 2092.8 MRDSACWSQRKDELLQQ 94 2094.36 2092.8 MGGPRAWALLCLGLLLPGGGAA 95 2094.58 2092.8 MSLMVVSMACVGVLLAAGGLAT 96 2094.66 2092.8 MTKALLIYLVSSFLALNQA 947 2096.56 2097.03 MRGELWLLVLVLREAARA 948 2096.57 2097.03 MLPFLFFSTLFSSIFTEA 97 2098.49 2097.03, 2099.42 MTPQLLLALVLWASCPPCSG 98 2100.6 2099.42 MPAGRAARTCALLALCLLGAGA 99 2100.61 2099.42 MIPGNRMLMVVLLCQVLLG 100 2100.76 2099.42 MRAALWTLGLGPLLLNLWA 949 2109.61 2111.39 MLPQQVGFVCAVLALVCCASG 950 2109.63 2111.39 MRLGPRTAALGLLLLCAAAAGA 951 2110.62 2111.39 MKFSPAHYLLPLLPALVLS 952 2110.64 2111.39 MMLSWKQLILLSFIGCLGG 953 2110.68 2111.39 MARAMAAAWPLLLVALLVLS 954 2110.71 2111.39

TABLE 29 Signal Peptide m/z Amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. MW of the corresponding peak MKILVALAVFFLVSTQLFA 955 2111.67 2111.39, 2113.1 MAPRALPGSAVLAAAVFVGGAVS 956 2112.53 2111.39, 2113.1 MERVTLALLLLAGLTALEAN 957 2112.56 2111.39, 2113.1 MHPQVVILSLILHLADSVAG 958 2113.55 2113.1 MAFCALTIVALYILSLKDQ 959 2113.62 2113.1 MVRPYPLIYFLFLPLGAC 960 2113.66 2113.1 MTERRRALSLAAVVDSINL 961 2115.49 2115.77 MKPLLETLYLLGMLVPGGLG 962 2115.68 2115.77 MVSQALRLLCLLLGLQGCLA 963 2115.7 2115.77 MGRPLLLPLLLLLQPPAFL 964 2115.74 2115.77 MKLLLLALPMLVLLPQVIP 965 2115.85 2115.77 MLCCCPLADALLIFLETGSC 966 2116.64 2115.77 MEKSIWLLACLAWVLPTGS 967 2118.59 2120.37 MSRVVSLLLGAALLCGHGAFC 968 2118.62 2120.37 MGWTWRILFLVVIAAGAQS 969 2119.56 2120.37 MAAPVPWACCAVLAAAAAVVYA 970 2119.61 2120.37 MWGLVRLLLAWLGGWGCMG 971 2119.65 2120.37 MLGVLELLLLGAAWLAGPARG 972 2121.62 2120.37 MLLLLLLPLLWGRERVEG 973 2121.66 2120.37 MATSMGLLLLLLLLLTQPGAG 974 2126.7 2126.55 MRGCLRLALLCALPWLLLA 975 2126.77 2126.55 MWVLGIAATFCGLFLLPGFA 976 2127.65 2126.55 MLLLWVSVVAALALAVLAPGAG 977 2135.69 2137.63 MACLGFLLPVGFLLLISTVAG 978 2135.71 2137.63 MASLGLLLLLLLTALPPLWS 979 2135.73 2137.63 MVLLSILRILFLCELVLF 980 2135.8 2137.63 MSPAPRPSRCLLLPLLTLGT 981 2136.66 2137.63 MRLLWKLVILLPLINSSAG 982 2137.71 2137.63, 2139.15 MRFVVALVLLNVAAAGAVPLL 983 2137.71 2137.63, 2139.15 MQHSLVFFFAVILHLSHL 984 2139.6 2137.63, 2139.15, 2140.48 MATSWGTVFFMLVVSCVCSA 985 2139.61 2137.63, 2139.15, 2140.48 MALPSRILLWKLVLLQSSA 986 2139.68 2139.15, 2140.48 MIWYVATFIASVIGTRGLAA 987 2140.58 2139.15, 2140.48 MGHLWLLGIWGLCGLLLCAA 988 2140.71 2139.15, 2140.48 MQSHLAPLACAAAAGRAGGSCQA 989 2142.47 2140.48, 2143.42 MHYCVLSAFLILHLVTVAL 990 2143.69 2143.42 MLLLLLPSLLLLLLLPGPGSG 991 2143.79 2143.42 MSPLLFGAGLVVLNLVTSARS 992 2145.6 2146.46 MLLGQLSTLLCLLSGALPTGSG 993 2145.62 2146.46 MWTLKSSLVLLLCLTCSYA 994 2145.68 2146.46 MWTLKSSLVLLLCLTCSYA 995 2145.68 2146.46 MGSLVLTLCALFCLAAYLVSG 996 2145.68 2146.46 MRLPWELLVLQSFILCLA 997 2145.71 2146.46 MEMFTFLLTCIFLPLLRG 998 2145.73 2146.46 MTRCALLLLMVLMLGRVLV 999 2145.88 2146.46 MDWTWRILFLVAAATGAHS 1000 2146.5 2146.46

TABLE 30 Signal Peptide m/z Amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. MW of the corresponding peak MWWRVLSLLAWFPLQEA 1001 2146.59 2146.46 MLRQLLLAALCLAGPPAPARA 1002 2146.7 2146.46 MTLFPVLLFLVAGLLPSFPA 1003 2146.71 2146.46 MGTARWLALGSLFALAGLLEG 1004 2147.57 2146.46 MNGLSLSELCCLFCYPPCPG 1005 2147.62 2146.46 MVPKADSGAFLLLFLLVLTV 1006 2147.7 2146.46 MLRFYLFISLLCLSRSDA 1007 2148.62 2149.85 MDAAFLLVLGLLAQSLCLSLG 1008 2148.66 2149.85 MMSFLLGAILTLLWAPTAQA 1009 2148.66 2149.85 MNGNLDGWVVVLAAPLLPAAQ 1010 2149.54 2149.85, 2151.02 MRRQWGALLLGALLCAHAVA 1011 2150.65 2149.85, 2151.02 MGPRAKTISSLFFLLWVLA 1012 2150.66 2149.85, 2151.02 MGGLEPCSRLLLLPLLLAVSG 1013 2152.7 2151.02 MAPAVTRLLFLQLVLGPTLV 1014 2152.72 2151.02 METLGALLVLEFLLLSPVEA 1015 2158.63 2160.22 MASSLTCTGVIWALLSFLCAA 1016 2158.64 2160.22 MAVGKFLLGSLLLLSLQLGQG 1017 2158.68 2160.22 MWQLLAAACWMLLLGSMYG 1018 2158.71 2160.22 MGTGGSLLCGCSLVLSCLCPSAS 1019 2159.62 2160.22 MWLYLAAFVGLYYLLHW 1020 2159.63 2160.22 MDWTWRILFLVAAATGTHA 1021 2160.53 2160.22, 2161.68 DLRVATVTLMLAILSSSLAEG 1022 2160.56 2160.22, 2161.68 MLNNLLLFSLQISLIGTTLG 1023 2161.64 2161.68 MAAGLARLLLLLGLSAGGPAPAGA 1024 2161.64 2161.68 MRPGTALQAVLLAVLLVGLRA 1025 2162.72 2161.68 MVLQTQVFISLLLWISGASG 1026 2163.61 2161.68 MRLGLLSVALLFVGSSHLYS 1027 2163.61 2161.68 MSSTLPALLCVGLCLSQRISA 1028 2163.66 2161.68 MAVAPLRGALLLWQLLAAGGAA 1029 2163.66 2161.68 MRGPGHPLLLGLLLVLGPSPE 1030 2166.66 2167.09, 2167.78 MEQIWLLLLLTIRVLPGSA 1031 2166.7 2167.09, 2167.78 MATVRASLRGALLLLLAVAGVA 1032 2166.71 2167.09, 2167.78 MPRVSAPLVLLPAWLVMVAC 1033 2166.79 2167.09, 2167.78, 2168.75 MGGRVFLAFCVWLTLPGAET 1034 2168.61 2167.09, 2167.78, 2168.75 MEFGLSWVFLVALLRGVQC 1035 2168.66 2167.09, 2167.78, 2168.75 MRVGGAFHLLLVCLSPALLSA 1036 2168.7 2167.09, 2167.78, 2168.75 MAQSRVLLLLLLLPPQLHL 1037 2168.76 2167.09, 2167.78, 2168.75 MALRAPALLPLLLLLLPLRA 1038 2168.85 2167.09, 2167.78, 2168.75 MDPKGLLSLTFVLFLSLAFG 1039 2169.66 2167.78, 2168.75 MVWRLVLLALWVWPSTQA 1040 2169.67 2167.78, 2168.75 MDLLWMPLLLVAACVSAVHS 1041 2169.71 2167.78, 2168.75 MWGFLVLKARWLVTPVRT 1042 2173.7 2173.75 MEWPARLCGLWALLLCAGGGG 1043 2174.65 2173.75 MHGGQGPLLLLLLLAVCLGAQG 1044 2174.71 2173.75 MFAVVFFILSLMTCQPGVTA 101 2175.71 2177.51, 2173.75 MKYVFYLGVLAGTFFFADS 102 2176.57 2177.51

TABLE 31 Signal Peptide m/z Amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. MW of the corresponding peak MLLWTAVLLFVPCVGKTVW 103 2176.76 2177.51 MATLSFVFLLLGAVSWPPASA 104 2178.63 2177.51, 2179.25 MNNLSFSELCCLFCCPPCPG 105 2178.65 2177.51, 2179.25 MVATKTFALLLLSLFLAVGLG 106 2178.75 2177.51, 2179.25 MNSLVSWQLLLFLCATHFG 107 2180.62 2179.25 MKLLLLTLTVLLLLSQLTPG 108 2180.81 2179.25 MRSSLTMVGTLWAFLSLVTA 109 2184.65 2184.93, 2185.65, 2186.28 MASLVSLELGLLLAVLVVTATA 110 2184.71 2184.93, 2185.65, 2186.28 MKAFHTFCVVLLVFGSVSEA 111 2185.64 2184.93, 2185.65, 2186.28 MGGTLAWTLLLPLLLRESDS 112 2186.6 2184.93, 2185.65, 2186.28 MEFVRALWLGLALALGPGSAGG 113 2186.61 2184.93, 2185.65, 2186.28 MRTLFNLLWLALACSPVHT 114 2186.68 2184.93, 2185.65, 2186.28 MKILVAFLVVLTIFGIQSHG 115 2186.74 2184.93, 2185.65, 2186.28 MEPHLLGLLLGLLLGGTRVLA 116 2186.74 2184.93, 2185.65, 2186.28 MRRCRWAALALGLLRLCLA 117 2186.79 2184.93, 2185.65, 2186.28 MKFLIFAFFGGVHLLSLCSG 118 2187.7 2186.28 MMLLILFLVIICSHISVNQ 119 2187.81 2186.28 MTCSPLLLTLLIHCTGSWAQ 1045 2188.67 2190.18 MVFLKFFCMSFFCHLCQG 1046 2188.76 2190.18 MLMPLCGLLWWWWCCCSG 1047 2188.78 2190.18 MARLLGLCAWARKSVRLASS 1048 2189.68 2190.18, 2191.02 MDWNWRILFLVVIAAGAQS 1049 2190.6 2190.18, 2191.02 MQGPLLLPGLCFLLSLFGAVT 1050 2190.74 2190.18, 2191.02 MEGKWLLCMLLVLGTAIVEA 1051 2190.77 2190.18, 2191.02 MGALARALLLPLLAQWLLRA 1052 2190.77 2190.18, 2191.02 MAGPWTFTLLCGLLAATLIQA 1053 2191.69 2190.18, 2191.02, 2192.84 MGFCLALAWTLLVGAWTPLGA 1054 2191.69 2190.18, 2191.02, 2192.84 MYRRKSGWTGCAITCSPCTA 1055 2192.6 2191.02, 2192.84 MPFSVSWGVLLLAGLCCLVPS 1056 2192.74 2191.02, 2192.84 MALLPVLFLVTVLLPSLPAEG 1057 2193.76 2192.84 MFQQFQASCLVLFFLVGFA 1058 2196.67 2196.47 MALAALMIALGSLGLHTWQAQ 1059 2196.67 2196.47 MAGAVSLLGVVGLLLVSALSGVLG 1060 2196.73 2196.47 MDTSRLGVLLSLPVLLQLATG 1061 2197.67 2196.47 MSPSGRLCLLTIVGLILPTRG 1062 2197.74 2196.47 MAAAAWLQVLPVILLLLGAHP 1063 2197.76 2196.47 MKRLPLLVVFSTLLNCSYT 1064 2198.72 2199.82 MRGVSCLQVLLLLVLGAAGTQG 1065 2199.71 2199.82, 2201.22 MGLLASAGLLLLLVIGHPRSLG 1066 2201.75 2199.82, 2201.22 MQRWTLWAAAFLTLHSAQA 1067 2202.57 2201.22, 2204.02 MAFRTICVLVGVFICSICVK 1068 2202.85 2201.22, 2204.02 MAFYSCCWVLLALTWHTSA 1069 2203.64 2204.02 MHLIDYLLLLLVGLLALSHG 1070 2204.75 2204.02 MGFPAAALLCALCCGLLAPAARA 1071 2204.78 2204.02 MKAWGTVVVTLATLMVVTVDA 1072 2205.71 2204.02, 2207.1 MLCLGWIFLWLVAGERIKG 1073 2205.76 2204.02, 2207.1

TABLE 32 Signal Peptide m/z Amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. MW of the corresponding peak MAQLFLPLLAALVLAQAPAALA 1074 2206.77 2207.1 MLLCTARLVGLQLLISCCWA 1075 2207.82 2207.1 MGAAARLSAPRALVLWAALGAAA 1076 2208.66 2207.1 MACRCLSFLLMGTFLSVSQT 1077 2208.72 2207.1 MNLVICVLLLSIWKNNCMT 1078 2208.81 2207.1 MMLQHLVIFCLGLVVQNFC 1079 2208.81 2207.1 MCPGALWVALPLLSLLAGSLQG 120 2210.74 2211.58 MLAEWGACLLLAVALLGPGLQA 121 2210.74 2211.58 MRGTRLALLALVLAACGELAPA 122 2210.74 2211.58 MMKRAAAAAVGGALAVGAVPVVLS 123 2210.74 2211.58 MEACVSSLLVLALGALSVGSSFG 124 2211.63 2211.58 MAVRALKLLTTLLAVVAAASQA 125 2211.74 2211.58 MPVPALCLLWALAMVTRPASA 126 2211.79 2211.58 MSNSVPLLCFWSLCYCFAAG 127 2212.67 2211.58 MAGGRCGPQLTALLAAWIAAVAA 128 2212.67 2211.58 MPGPLGLLCFLALGLLGSAGPSGA 129 2212.71 2211.58 MSACRSFAVAICILEISILTA 130 2212.73 2211.58 METLCLRASFWLALVGCVIS 131 2212.73 2211.58 MRLGLCVVALVLSWTHLTIS 132 2212.75 2211.58 MAPRTLWSCYLCCLLTAAAGA 1080 2215.72 2216.77 MAPPQVLAFGLLLAAATATFAAA 1081 2216.68 2216.77, 2218.45 MSPHPTALLGLVLCLAQTIHT 1082 2216.7 2216.77, 2218.45 MQLLGLLSILWMLKSSPGATG 1083 2216.74 2216.77, 2218.45 MGWRAAGALLLALLLHGRLLA 1084 2216.77 2216.77, 2218.45 MGWRAAGALLLALLLHGRLLA 1085 2216.77 2216.77, 2218.45 MGPGRCLLTALLLLALAPPPEA 1086 2217.77 2216.77, 2218.45, 2219.3 MAPHWAVWLLAARLWGLGIG 1087 2218.7 2216.77, 2218.45, 2219.3, 2220.56 MFRTAVMMAASLALTGAVVAHA 1088 2219.73 2218.45, 2219.3, 2220.56 MTPIVTVLICLGLSLGPRTHV 1089 2220.77 2219.3, 2220.56, 2220.56, 2222.74 MAPQTLLPVLVLCVLLLQAQG 1090 2220.82 2219.3, 2220.56, 2222.74 MRVPAQLLGLLLLWLPGARC 1091 2220.82 2219.3, 2220.56, 2222.74 MKALIFAAAGLLLLLPTFCQS 1092 2221.8 2220.56, 2222.74 MGRAGAAAVIPGLALLWAVGLGSA 1093 2222.69 2222.74 MLRLLRPLLLLLLLPPPGSP 1094 2222.9 2222.74 MASVFHYFLLVLVFLDTHA 1095 2223.67 2222.74 MHFQAFWLCLGLLFISINA 1096 2224.72 2222.74 MPLPWSLALPLLLSWVAGGFG 133 2225.73 2226.96 MWPSQLLIFMMLLAPIIHA 134 2225.86 2226.96 MGPSTPLLILFLLSWSGPLQG 135 2227.7 2226.96, 2228.22 MNSLSWGAANAVLLLLLLAWA 136 2227.7 2226.96, 2228.22 MALGTTLRASLLLLGLLTEGLA 137 2227.74 2226.96, 2228.22 MMRTCVLLSAVLWCLTGVQC 138 2227.84 2226.96, 2228.22 MIRKLFIVLLLLLVTIEEA 139 2227.87 2226.96, 2228.22 MHLLGPWLLLLVLEYLAFS 140 2228.77 2226.96, 2228.22 MGLGRVLLFLAVAFPFAPPAAA 1097 2229.76 2228.22, 2231.6 MRLIRNIYIFCSIVMTAEG 1098 2230.75 2231.6

TABLE 33 Signal Peptide m/z Amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. MW of the corresponding peak MTLGSPRKGLLMLLMALVTQG 1099 2230.83 2231.6 MAGAPGPLRLALLLLGMVGRAGP 1100 2231.8 2231.6 MGPAPLPLLLGLFLPALWRR 1101 2231.83 2231.6 MSPHLTALLGLVLCLAQTIHT 1102 2232.74 2231.6 MAQALPWLLLWMGAGVLPAHG 1103 2232.75 2231.6 MGKPWLRALQLLLLLGASWA 1104 2237.79 2239.71 MVAGTRCLLALLLPQVLLGGAAG 1105 2237.81 2239.71 MNILMLTFIICGLLTRVTKG 1106 2237.87 2239.71 MRRLLLVTSLVVVLLWEAGA 1107 2239.8 2239.71 MAPSAWAICWLLGGLLLHGGSS 1108 2240.68 2239.71 MVTRAGAGTAVAGAVVVALLSAALA 1109 2240.7 2239.71 MTARAWASWRSSALLLLLVP 1110 2242.72 2244.01 MAAHLLPICALFLTLLDMAQG 1111 2242.8 2244.01 MPPAAPARLALALGLGLWLGALA 1112 2243.79 2244.01 MALHIHEACILLLVIPGLVTS 1113 2243.81 2244.01 MQAPRAALVFALVIALVPVGRG 1114 2249.8 2251.78 MNLCLSALLFFLVILLPSGKG 1115 2249.86 2251.78 MPALWLGCCLCFSLLLPAARA 1116 2249.86 2251.78 MKPGGFWLHLTLLGASLPAALG 1117 2250.74 2251.78 MAAMASLGALALLLLSSLSRCSA 1118 2250.78 2251.78 MLSGVWFLSVLTVAGILQTES 1119 2251.67 2251.78 MGLRPGIFLLELLLLLGQGTP 1120 2251.81 2251.78 MLAPLFLCCLRNLFRKLIS 1121 2251.9 2251.78 MFESFNVPGLYIAVQAVLALA 141 2253.69 2251.78, 2254.83 MQPVMLALWSLLLLWGLATP 142 2253.85 2254.83 MPLKHYLLLLVGCQAWGAGLA 143 2254.79 2254.83, 2256.53 MAGVRARAPLPLALLLSLPAAPG 144 2255.8 2254.83, 2256.53 MLLPQLCWLPLLAGLLPPVPA 145 2255.91 2254.83, 2256.53 MQIPRAALLPLLLLLLAAPASA 1122 2256.87 2256.53 MRLLCGLWLWLSLLKVLQA 1123 2256.9 2256.53 MSLTVVSMACVGFFLLQGAWP 1124 2257.77 2256.53 MKLLFPIFASLMLQYQVNT 1125 2257.79 2256.53 MVPSAGQLALFALGIVLAACQAL 1126 2257.79 2256.53 MLRLGLCAAALLCVCRPGAVRA 1127 2257.89 2256.53 MVFSLKVILFLSLLLSPVLK 1128 2260.94 2261.91 MLMLMLVAAVTMWLRPLVTA 1129 2260.97 2261.91 MTSQRSPLAPLLLLSLHGVAAS 1130 2262.7 2261.91 MAARGSGPRALRLLLLVQLVAG 1131 2262.8 2261.91 MLGARAWLGRVLLLPRAGAGLA 1132 2262.8 2261.91 MRLLILALLGICSLTAYIVEG 1133 2262.85 2261.91 MRLLALAAAALLARAPAPEVCAA 1134 2263.8 2261.91 MNIILEILLLLITIIYSYL 1135 2264.88 2266.45 MAAAPLLLLLLLVPVPLLPLLA 1136 2265.02 2266.45 MLSHGAGLALWITLSLLQTGLA 1137 2266.74 2266.45, 2268.58 MELAALCRWGLLLALLPPGAAS 1138 2266.8 2266.45, 2268.58 MPLSSHLLPALVLFLAGSSGWA 1139 2267.72 2266.45, 2268.58

TABLE 34 Signal Peptide m/z Amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. MW of the corresponding peak MALAALMIALGSLGLHTWQAQA 1140 2267.75 2266.45, 2268.58 MPRGFTWLRYLGIFLGVALG 1141 2267.77 2266.45, 2268.58 MSLASGPGPGWLLFSFGMGLVSG 1142 2268.69 2268.58 MKMHLQRALVVLALLNFATV 1143 2268.87 2268.58 MRIFAVFIFMTYWHLLNA 1144 2273.8 2274.97 MHVHVCVCLCVCIYTSSCVCA 1145 2273.87 2274.97 MLVNFILRCGLLLVTLSLAIA 1146 2273.92 2274.97 MVPAAGALLWVLLLNLGPRAAGA 1147 2274.8 2274.97, 2276.04 MKLVTIFLLVTISLCSYSATA 1148 2274.82 2274.97, 2276.04 MRLSLPLLLLLLGAWAIPGGLG 1149 2274.89 2274.97, 2276.04 MALMFTGHLLFLALLMFAFS 1150 2274.89 2274.97, 2276.04 MRTLWMALCALSRLWPGAQA 1151 2275.8 2274.97, 2276.04 MKALRLSASALFCLLLINGLGA 1152 2275.85 2274.97, 2276.04 MSLFGLLLLTSALAGQRQGTQA 146 2276.69 2274.97, 2276.04, 2278.67 MSGAPTAGAALMLCAATAVLLSAQG 147 2276.73 2274.97, 2276.04, 2278.67 MGLQFSQVISICWAAMGSLYA 148 2276.73 2274.97, 2276.04, 2278.67 MPGAAEALPTVTVTLVAGAVPPASG 149 2277.67 2276.04, 2278.67 MRPRKAFLLLLLLGLVQLLA 150 2278.97 2278.67 MARSATLAAAALALCLLLAPPGLA 151 2279.84 2278.67, 2281.09 MESLLLPVLLLLAILWTQAAA 152 2279.86 2278.67, 2281.09 MEGAPPGSLALRLLLFVALPASG 1153 2280.76 2281.09 MSSFGYRTLTVALFTLICCPG 1154 2280.76 2281.09 MPPFLITLFLFHSCCLRANG 1155 2280.81 2281.09 MVTSSFPISVAVFALITLQVGT 1156 2281.74 2281.09 MDHCGALFLCLCLLTLQNATT 1157 2281.77 2281.09 MLPWTALGLALSLRLALARSGA 1158 2281.8 2281.09 MKVLPASGLAVFLIMALTFSTA 1159 2281.85 2281.09 MRALLALCLLLGWLRWGPAGA 1160 2281.87 2281.09 MMAAGAALALALWLLMPPVEVGG 1161 2282.87 2281.09 MSALRPLLLLLLPLCPGPGPGPG 1162 2282.89 2281.09 MALLTNLLPLCCLALLALPAQS 1163 2282.91 2281.09 MQFQLTLFLHLGWLSYSKA 1164 2283.72 2285.01 MVGTKAWVFSFLVLEVTSVLG 1165 2283.76 2285.01 MRMCTPIRGLLMALAVMFGTA 1166 2283.95 2285.01 MGRARRFQWPLLLLWAAAAG 1167 2284.77 2285.01 MTNKCLLQIALLLCFSTTALS 1168 2284.84 2285.01 MSLLLPPLALLLLLAALVAPATA 1169 2285.95 2285.01 MKYSCCALVLAVLGTELLGSLC 1170 2287.86 2289.43 MIISHFPKCVAVFALLALSVGA 1171 2287.86 2289.43 MSLMVVSMACVGFFLLQGAWP 1172 2287.87 2289.43 MSLMVVSMACVGFFLLQGAWP 1173 2287.87 2289.43 MSLMVVSMACVGFFLLQGAWP 1174 2287.87 2289.43 MRRLPRALLLQLRLALLVAA 1175 2287.94 2289.43 MDTRNKAQLLVLLTLLSVLF 1176 2288.83 2289.43 MGAMAYPLLLCLLLAQLGLGAVG 153 2288.91 2289.43, 2290.85 MGPPLPLLLLLLLLLPPRVLP 154 2289.04 2289.43, 2290.85

TABLE 35 Signal Peptide m/z Amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. MW of the corresponding peak MSGNWVHPGQILIWAIWVLA 155 2291.75 2290.85, 2292.35 MRRWAWAAVVVLLGPQLVLL 156 2291.88 2290.85, 2292.35 MRLPDVOLWLVLLWALVRA 157 2292.87 2292.35 MRCALALSALLLLLSTPPLLPS 158 2293.91 2292.35 MAGQRVLLLVGFLLPGVLLSEA 1177 2296.85 2295.92, 2296.92 MVSWGRFICLVVVTMATLSLA 1178 2297.88 2295.92, 2296.92 MSSGDPAHLGLCLWLWLGATLG 1179 2298.72 2296.92 MKIPVLPAVVLLSLLVLHSAQG 1180 2298.91 2296.92 MFLATLSFLLPFAHPFGTVSC 1181 2299.79 2301.71 MQLLGLLGLLWMLKASPWATG 1182 2299.88 2301.71 MDWPHNLLFLLTISIFLGLG 1183 2300.8 2301.71, 2302.5 MTARGLALGLLLLLLCPAQVFS 1184 2300.9 2301.71, 2302.5 MNCVCRLVLVVLSLWPDTAVA 1185 2302.86 2301.71, 2302.5, 2303.21 MSRSATLLLCLLGCHVWKAVT 1186 2302.86 2301.71, 2302.5, 2303.21 MATWALLLLAAMLLGNPGLVFS 1187 2302.88 2301.71, 2302.5, 2303.21 MPSWIGAVILPLLGLLLSLPAGA 1188 2302.9 2301.71, 2302.5, 2303.21 MAGRGGSALLALCGALAACGWLLGA 1189 2303.81 2302.5, 2303.21, 2305.43 MWTALVLIWIFSLSLSESHA 1190 2304.74 2303.21, 2305.43 MFKCWSVVLVLGFIFLESEG 1191 2304.8 2303.21, 2305.43 MMWRPSVLLLLLLLRHGAQG 1192 2304.9 2303.21, 2305.43 MLMPVHFLLLLLLLLGGPRTG 1193 2304.98 2303.21, 2305.43 MSLMVISMACVGFFLLQGAWT 1194 2305.88 2305.43, 2307.22 MSLMVISMACVGFFLLQGAWT 1195 2305.88 2305.43, 2307.22 MSLMVISMACVGFFLLQGAWT 1196 2305.88 2305.43, 2307.22 MGWLTRIVCLFWGVLLTARA 1197 2306.87 2305.43, 2307.22 MAREMTILGSAVLTLLLAGYLA 1198 2307.85 2307.22 MSAAWIPALGLGVCLLLLPGPAGS 1199 2307.85 2307.22 MAAATASPRSLLVLLQVVVLALA 1200 2307.87 2307.22 MAPGMSGRGGAALLCLSALLAHASG 1201 2312.77 2314.24 MGRRDAQLLAALLVLGLCALAGS 1202 2312.83 2314.24, 2314.81 MKAQTALSFFLILITSLSGSQG 1203 2313.75 2314.24, 2314.81 MSRRSMLLAWALPSLLRLGAA 1204 2313.87 2314.24, 2314.81 MRLRFWLLIWLLLGFISH 1205 2314.92 2314.24, 2314.81 MRLRFWLLIWLLLGFISH 1206 2314.92 2314.24, 2314.81 MDTKLMCLLFFFSLPPLLVS 1207 2315.94 2314.24, 2314.81, 2317.68 MALWRGSAYAGFLALAVGCVFL 1208 2316.82 2317.68 MKFLLLVLAALGFLTQVIPASA 1209 2316.92 2317.68 MVGAMWKVIVSLVLLMPGPCDG 1210 2316.95 2317.68 MPPPRLLFFLLFLTPMEVR 1211 2317.94 2317.68 MAGVGAAALSLLLHLGALALAAGAEG 1212 2318.77 2317.68 MKLTFFLGLLALISCFTPSES 1213 2318.83 2317.68 MKVFKFIGLMILLTSAFSAGSG 1214 2318.88 2317.68 MQPLWLCWALWVLPLASPGAA 1215 2323.86 2325.3 MRRAPSLVLFFLVALCGRGNC 1216 2323.88 2325.3 MALPYHIFLFTVLLPSFTLT 1217 2324.86 2325.3 MASMAAVLTWALALLSAFSATQA 1218 2325.78 2325.3, 2327.73

TABLE 36 Signal Peptide m/z Amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. MW of the corresponding peak VMAPRTLVLLLSGALALTQTWA 1219 2325.85 2325.3, 2327.73 MSSNTMLQKTLLILISFSVVT 1220 2326.85 2325.3, 2327.73 MGRRALLLLLLSFLAPWATIA 1221 2326.92 2325.3, 2327.73 MTTSPILQLLLRLSLCGLLLQ 1222 2326.94 2325.3, 2327.73 MWSHLNRLLFWSIFSSVTC 1223 2327.76 2327.73 MKHLWFFLLLVAAPRWVLS 1224 2327.91 2327.73 MKHLWFFLLLVAAPRWVLS 1225 2327.91 2327.73 MKHLWFFLLLVAAPRWVLS 1226 2327.91 2327.73 MPLWVFFFVILTLSNSSHCS 1227 2328.79 2327.73 MVGQRVLLLVAFLLSGVLLSEA 1228 2328.89 2327.73 MVLLHWCLLWLLFPLSSRT 1229 2328.92 2327.73 MTDKSIVILSLMVFHSSFING 1230 2339.81 2341.14 MPFRLLIPLGLLCALLPQHHG 1231 2339.95 2341.14 MSLMVVSMARVGFFLLQGAWP 1232 2340.91 2341.14, 2342.87 MVHVARLLLLLLTFFLRTDA 1233 2342.92 2341.14, 2342.87, 2344.45 MDSWTFCCVSLCILVAKHTDA 1234 2343.8 2342.87, 2344.45 MAGASRLLFLWLGCFCVSLAQG 1235 2343.87 2342.87, 2344.45 MEASRWWLLVTVLMAGAHCVA 1236 2344.86 2342.87, 2344.45 MDPKQTTLLCLVLCLGQRIQA 1237 2344.9 2344.45 MPGVARLPLLLGLLLLPRPGRP 1238 2350.01 2351.97 MRTYRYFLLLFWVGQPYP 1239 2350.82 2351.97 MSRPGTATPALALVLLAVTLAGVGA 1240 2350.85 2351.97 MRVALGMLWLLALAWPPQARG 1241 2350.93 2351.97 MGSSSFLVLMVSLVLVTLVAVEG 1242 2351.9 2351.97 MGFLSPIYVIFFFFGVKVHC 1243 2351.91 2351.97 MWPLWLCWALWVLPLAGPGAA 1244 2351.91 2351.97 MVRIWTTIMIVLILLLRIGP 1245 2352.08 2351.97, 2353.99 MGPVRLGILLFLFLAVHEAWA 1246 2353.91 2351.97, 2353.99, 2355.29 MKLWVSALLMAWFGVLSCVQA 1247 2353.95 2351.97, 2353.99, 2355.29 MRVFLLCAYILLLMVSQLRA 1248 2354.04 2353.99, 2355.29 MSAPRLLISIIIMVSASSSSCMG 1249 2354.91 2353.99, 2355.29 MLRYLLKTLLQMNLFADSLA 1250 2354.91 2353.99, 2355.29 MGRRRLLVWLCAVAALLSGAQA 1251 2355.91 2353.99, 2355.29, 2357.54 MKPPLLVFIVCLLWLKDSHC 1252 2356.01 2355.29, 2357.54 MRPAALRGALLGCLCLALLCLGGA 1253 2357.02 2355.29, 2357.54 MDLLQFLAFLFVLLLSGMGATG 1254 2357.91 2357.54 MVFAFWKVFLILSCLAGQVSV 1255 2358.94 2357.54 MGGMKYIFSLLFFLLLEGGKT 1256 2365.93 2367.75 MELGCWTQLGLTFLQLLLISS 1257 2366.87 2367.75 MKIAVLFCFFLLIIFQTDFG 1258 2366.96 2367.75 MILIPRMLLVLFLLLPILSSA 1259 2367.13 2367.75 MGAPLAVALGALHYLALFLQLGGA 1260 2367.89 2367.75 MKTLPLFVCICALSACFSFSEG 1261 2367.91 2367.75 MRLWSWVLHLGLLSAALGCGLA 1262 2367.91 2367.75 MSAPSLRARAAGLGLLLCAVLGRA 1263 2367.92 2367.75 MGIRGMLRAAVILLLIRTWLA 1264 2368.04 2367.75

TABLE 37 Signal Peptide m/z Amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. MW of the corresponding peak MAGWPGAGPLCVLGGAALGVCLAGVAG 1265 2368.88 2367.75 MAEAGLRGWLLWALLLRLAQS 1266 2368.88 2367.75 MALVRALVCCLLTAWHCRSGLG 1267 2373.97 2375.59 MCSRVPLLLPLLLLLALGPGVQG 1268 2374.04 2375.59 MAAEWASRFWLWATLLIPAAA 1269 2375.82 2375.59 MQIPQAPWPVVWAVLQLGWR 1270 2375.87 2375.59 MTLTLSVLICLGLSVGPRTCVQA 1271 2375.95 2375.59 MWKVSALLFVLGSASLWVLAEG 1272 2377.88 2378.35 MMCLKILRISLAILAGWALCSA 1273 2378.08 2378.35 MPGIKRILTVTILALCLPSPGNA 1274 2378.98 2378.35, 2380.39 MGAPFVWALGLLMLQMLLFVAG 1275 2379.04 2378.35, 2380.39 MDPECAQLLPALCAVLVDPRQP 1276 2379.85 2378.35, 2380.39 MTNVYSLDGILVFGLLFVCTCA 1277 2379.89 2378.35, 2380.39 MSRQLLPVLLLLLLRASCPWG 1278 2380.01 2378.35, 2380.39 MRPHLSPPLQQLLLPVLLACAA 1279 2381.98 2380.39 MMCPLWRLLIFLGLLALPLAP 1280 2382.13 2380.39 MLLTLIILLPVVSKFSFVSLSA 1281 2392.03 2393.64 MLSKVLPVLLGILLILQSRVEG 1282 2392.03 2393.64 MRGSGPRGAGRRRPPSGGGDTPIT 1283 2393.68 2393.64 MELQAARACFALLWGCALAAAAAA 1284 2393.89 2393.64 MGPSSCLLLILIPLLQLINPGST 1285 2393.98 2393.64 MVFLVACALHIALDLLPRLER 1286 2393.99 2393.64 MGFHFCIWIIFLLPPPCKKC 1287 2394.08 2393.64 MGAARLLPNLTLCLQLLILCCQ 1288 2401.07 2402.11 MRHGVAWALLVAAALGLGARGVRG 1289 2402.9 2402.11, 2404.01 MLTRLVLSAHLSSTTSPPWTHA 1290 2406.79 2406.49 MGRHLALLLLLLLLFQHFGDS 1291 2407.95 2406.49 MGSSRLAALLLPLLLIVIDLSDS 1292 2410.95 2412.79 MEHKEVVLLLLLFLKSAPTET 1293 2411.93 2412.79 MRRPAAVPLLLLLCFGSQRAKA 1294 2412.01 2412.79 MLHVEMLTLVFLVLWMCVFS 1295 2412.09 2412.79 MASCLALRMALLLVSGVLAPAVLT 1296 2414.09 2412.79, 2414.25, 2415.2 MRVTLATIAWMVSFVSNYSHT 1297 2414.84 2414.25, 2415.2, 2416.3 METQELRGALALLLLCFFTSAS 1298 2414.88 2414.25, 2415.2, 2416.3 MKMKSQATMICCLVFFLSTEC 1299 2415.05 2414.25, 2415.2, 2416.3 MDWTWRVFCLLAVAPGVHSQV 1300 2415.87 2414.25, 2415.2, 2416.3 MARRGPGWRPLLLLVLLAGAAQG 1301 2416.97 2415.2, 2416.3 MRAARAAPLLQLLLLLGPWLEA 1302 2417.01 2415.2, 2416.3 MARHLLLPLVMLVISPIPGAFQ 1303 2417.07 2415.2, 2416.3 MMRAVWEALAALAAVACLVGAVRG 1304 2430.01 2431.13 MEPAVSLAVCALLFLLWVRLKG 1305 2430.07 2431.13 MNLRLCVQALLLLWLSLTAVCG 1306 2431.07 2431.13 MPGPWLLLALALTLNLTGVPGGRA 1307 2431.97 2431.13 MAGGSATTWGYPVALLLLVATLGLG 1308 2432.91 2431.13, 2434.36 MECLYYFLGFLLLAARLPLDA 1309 2432.98 2431.13, 2434.36 MKMRFLGLVVCLVLWTLHSEG 1310 2433.05 2431.13, 2434.36

TABLE 38 Signal Peptide m/z Amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. MW of the corresponding peak MKGRGMLVLLLHAVVLGLPSAWA 1311 2433.07 2431.13, 2434.36 MTPILTVLICLGLSLGPRTHVQA 1312 2434.01 2434.36 MTPILTVLICLGLSLGPRTHVQA 1313 2434.01 2434.36 MKDMPLRIHVLLGLAITTLVQA 1314 2434.05 2434.36 MTCWLCVLSLPLLLLPAAPPPAGG 1315 2434.08 2434.36 MLRAGWLRGAAALALLLAARVVAA 1316 2435.03 2434.36 MKENYCLQAALVCLGMLCHSHA 1317 2435.97 2434.36 MGAAAVRWHLCVLLALGTRGRLA 1318 2436 2434.36 MPYFTRLILFLFCLMVLVES 1319 2436.09 2434.36 MPRCRWLSLILLTIPLALVAR 1320 2436.12 2434.36 MLRDVRGRRRAGAALVGVLVAEA 1321 2436.92 2438.19 MRPRSALPRLLLPLLLLPAAGPA 1322 2437.08 2438.19 MAGAWLRWGLLLWAGLLASSAHG 1323 2437.9 2438.19, 2439.22 MASYLYGVLFAVGLCAPIYCVSP 1324 2437.98 2438.19, 2439.22 MPLLPSTVGLAGLLFWAGQAVNAL 1325 2439.95 2438.19, 2439.22 VLHCTKSCTCHKQCTYFKFY 1326 2440.92 2439.22 MLPAATASLLGPLLTACALLPFAQG 1327 2441 2439.22 MMGLFPRTTGALAIFVVVILVHG 1328 2443.06 2444.37 MWSWKCLLFWAVLVTATLCTA 1329 2444.03 2444.37 MPRWLLLSLTFAGLFPLRRR 1330 2444.04 2444.37 MAKFGVHRILLLAISLTKCLES 1331 2444.05 2444.37 MFSHLPFDCVLLLLLLLLTRS 1332 2445.08 2444.37 MDLPRGLVVAWALSLWPGFTDT 1333 2445.87 2444.37 MKSPRRTTLCLMFIVIYSSKA 1334 2446.05 2444.37 MMPAQYALTSSLVLLVLLSTARA 1335 2450.01 2451.9 MVSAAAPSLLILLLLLLGSVPATDA 1336 2450.02 2451.9 MRSRLPPALAALGAALLLSSIEAE 1337 2450.93 2451.9 MEQRPRGCAAVAAALLLVLLGARA 1338 2451 2451.9 MSRLSRSLLWAATCLGVLCVLSA 1339 2451.02 2451.9 MVCSAAPLLLLATTLPLLGSPVAQA 1340 2451.04 2451.9 MILNWKLLGILVLCLHTRGISG 1341 2451.09 2451.9 MAPYPCGCHILLLLFCCLAAARA 1342 2451.11 2451.9 MIIMVIIFLVLLFWENEVND 1343 2452.02 2451.9, 2453.96 MKLHSLISVLLLFVTLIPKGKT 1344 2452.13 2451.9, 2453.96 MIMFPLFGKISLGILIFVLIEG 1345 2452.15 2451.9, 2453.96 MTPILTVLICLGLSLGPRTRVQA 1346 2453.06 2451.9, 2453.96 MPSPPGLRALWLCAALCASRRAGG 1347 2454.98 2453.96, 2455.44, 2456.62 MNLWLLACLVAGFLGAWAPAVHT 1348 2454.99 2453.96, 2455.44, 2456.62 MRTQSLLLLGALLAVGSQLPAVFG 1349 2455.99 2455.44, 2456.62 MGRRMRGAAATAGLWLLALGSLLA 1350 2457.01 2455.44, 2456.62 MPRATALGALVSLLLLLPLPRGAGG 1351 2458.06 2456.62, 2459.43 MVARVGLLLRALQLLLWGHLDA 1352 2459.05 2459.43 MDPQCTMGLSNILFVMAFLLSGA 1353 2460 2459.43 MAETLFWTPLLVVLLAGLGDTEA 1354 2460.92 2459.43, 2462.31 MGPWSRSLSALLLLLQVSSWLC 1355 2460.99 2459.43, 2462.31 MAHVRGLQLPGCLALAALCSLVHS 1356 2461.02 2459.43, 2462.31

TABLE 39 Signal Peptide m/z Amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. MW of the corresponding peak MKLCSLAVLVPIVLFCEQHVFA 1357 2461.1 2459.43, 2462.31 MAAALWGFFPVLLLLLLSGDVQS 1358 2462 2462.31 MILQAHLHSLCLLMLYLATGYG 1359 2462.05 2462.31 MQAACWYVLFLLQPTVYLVTC 1360 2463.03 2462.31, 2464.16 MLGMNMLLITLFLLLPLSMLKG 1361 2463.26 2462.31, 2464.16 MILANVFCLFFFLDETLRSLA 1362 2463.99 2462.31, 2464.16 MAAVRGAPLLSCLLALLALCPGGRP 1363 2464.11 2462.31, 2464.16 MAGTVRTACLVVAMLLSLDFPGQA 1364 2465 2464.16 MDLIRGVLLRLLLLASSLGPGAVS 1365 2465.05 2464.16 METGALRRPQLLPLLLLLCGGCP 1366 2465.09 2464.16 MESWWGLPCLAFLCFLMHARG 1367 2469.02 2470.97 MGRVGYWTLLVLPALLVWRGPA 1368 2469.04 2470.97 MLRKGCCVELLLLLVAAELPLGGG 1369 2469.12 2470.97 MKGSRALLLVALTLFCICRMATG 1370 2469.15 2470.97 MQGLLFSTLLLAGLAQFCCRVQG 1371 2470.02 2470.97 MPGRTWELCLLLLLGLGLGSQEA 1372 2470.99 2470.97 MASDLIRTILVVALISKLGTAVDA 1373 2471 2470.97 MWCASPVAVVAFCAGLLVSHPVLT 1374 2472.04 2470.97 MLINKLWLLLVTLCLTEELAAA 1375 2472.1 2470.97 MRGAARLGRPGRSCLPGPALRAAAA 1376 2476.97 2478.17 MERIVICLMVIFLGTLVHKSSS 1377 2477.1 2478.17 MSPLWWGFLLSCLGCKILPGAQG 1378 2478.05 2478.17, 2479.28 MRPPGFRNFLLLASSLLFAGLSA 1379 2478.99 2478.17, 2479.28 MSPPLLKLGAVLSTMAMISNWMS 1380 2479.09 2478.17, 2479.28 MRLRPLPLVWPGLLQLLFCDS 1381 2480.13 2478.17, 2479.28 MVSVPTTWCSVALALLVALHEGKG 1382 2483 2484.18 MDRRMWGAHVFCVLSPLPTVLG 1383 2486.03 2484.18 MNKHFLFLFLLYCLIVAVTSL 1384 2486.13 2484.18 MVVLNPMTLGIYLQLFFLSIVS 1385 2499.12 2500.4 MAIHKALVMCLGLPLFLFPGAWA 1386 2500.18 2500.4 MAWQMMQLLLLALVTAAGSAQPR 159 2501.08 2500.4, 2502.64 MRVLFFVFGVLSLMFTVPPGRS 160 2501.1 2500.4, 2502.64 MDMFPLTWVFLALYFSRHQV 161 2502 2500.4, 2502.64 MPMASPQTLVLYLLVLAVTEAWG 162 2504.06 2502.64, 2504.73 MLLWVQQALLALLLPTLLAQGEA 1387 2506.09 2504.73, 2507.42 MRRRLWLGLAWLLLARAPDAAG 1388 2507.05 2507.42 MRKTRLWGLLWMLFVSELRA 1389 2507.11 2507.42 MKFYSLLLCSLLFSFPFLCHP 1390 2507.13 2507.42 MAVESQGGRPLVLGLLLCVLGPVVS 1391 2508.09 2507.42, 2509.21 MKAPAVLAPGILVLLFTLVQRSNG 1392 2509.1 2507.42, 2509.21 MKLLKLTGFIFFLFFLTESLT 1393 2510.12 2509.21 MRGSQEVLLMWLLVLAVGGTEHA 1394 2511.01 2509.21 MKMLTRLQVLTLALFSKGFLLS 1395 2511.18 2509.21 MAAATRGCRPWGSLLGLLGLVSAAAA 1396 2514.02 2515.26 MAAATRGCRPWGSLLGLLGLVSAAAA 1397 2514.02 2515.26 MGAPSACRTLVLALAAMLVVPQAET 1398 2514.08 2515.26

TABLE 40 Signal Peptide m/z Amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. MW of the corresponding peak MAGLGASLHVWGWLMLGSCLLARA 1399 2514.08 2515.26 MASLGQILFWSIISIIIILAGAIA 1400 2515.14 2515.26 MGQLCWLPLLAPLLLLRPPGVQS 1401 2516.16 2515.26, 2517.43 MCLTDEWGFLFFFFFLGVPEA 1402 2516.97 2515.26, 2517.43 MRTHTRGAPSVFFIYLLCFVSA 1403 2517.02 2515.26, 2517.43 MSDLLSIYSAPVVVSTVLHMLQI 1404 2517.05 2515.26, 2517.43 MFLSKPSVYICLFTCVLQLSHS 1405 2517.08 2515.26, 2517.43, 2519.07 MYLETRRAIFVFWIFLQVQG 1406 2518.03 2517.43, 2519.07 MPRKQPAGCIFLLTFLGLSGLVGT 1407 2520.1 2519.07 MRPRRPLVFMSLVCALLNTCQA 1408 2520.16 2519.07 MDPKYFILILFCGHLNNTFFS 1409 2521 2519.07 MRGHPSLLLLYMALTTCLDTSPS 1410 2521.02 2519.07 MGYCQGVSQVAVVLLMFPKEKEA 1411 2528.06 2527.31 MGGRVFLVFLAFCVWLTLPGAET 1412 2528.08 2527.31 MAVMAPRTLVLLLSGALALTQTWA 1413 2528.12 2527.31 MAVMAPRTLVLLLSGALALTQTWA 1414 2528.12 2527.31 MAVMAPRTLVLLLSGALALTQTWA 1415 2528.12 2527.31 MAVMAPRTLVLLLSGALALTQTWA 1416 2528.12 2527.31 MAVMAPRTLVLLLSGALALTQTWA 1417 2528.12 2527.31 MAVMAPRTLVLLLSGALALTQTWA 1418 2528.12 2527.31 MAVMAPRTLVLLLSGALALTQTWA 1419 2528.12 2527.31 MAVMAPRTLVLLLSGALALTQTWA 1420 2528.12 2527.31 MAVMAPRTLVLLLSGALALTQTWA 1421 2528.12 2527.31 MAVMAPRTLVLLLSGALALTQTWA 1422 2528.12 2527.31 MAVMAPRTLVLLLSGALALTQTWA 1423 2528.12 2527.31 MAVMAPRTLVLLLSGALALTQTWA 1424 2528.12 2527.31 MRIAVLLFAIFFFMSQVLPARG 1425 2528.17 2527.31 MRIAVLLFAIFFFMSQVLPARG 1426 2528.17 2527.31 MWHLKLCAVLMIFLLLLGQIDG 1427 2528.23 2527.31 MEPRALVTALSLGLSLCSLGLLVTA 1428 2529.11 2527.31, 2531.06 MRLHLLLLILLLFSILLSPVRG 1429 2531.28 2531.06, 2532.26 MLSQLAMLQGSLLLWATMSVAQQ 1430 2533.12 2532.26 MPAGVPMSTYLKMFAASLLAMCAGA 1431 2533.17 2532.26 MQSPWKILTVAPLFLLLSLQSSA 1432 2544.1 2546.08 MQPPSLLLLLLLLLLLCVSVVRP 1433 2544.34 2546.08 MRTPQLALLQVFFLVFPDGVRP 1434 2545.09 2546.08 MARQPPPPWVHAAFLLCLLSLGGA 1435 2546.1 2546.08 MQFRLFSFAUILNCMDYSHC 1436 2553.09 2554.96 MGSRGQGLLLAYCLLLAFASGLVLS 1437 2554.12 2554.96 MFLATLYFALPLLDLLLSAEVSGG 1438 2555.08 2554.96 MQRLVLLLAISLLLYQDLPVRS 1439 2555.17 2554.96 MRLWKAVVVTLAFMSVDICVTTA 1440 2555.17 2554.96 MRKPAAGFLPSLLKVLLLPLAPAAA 1441 2559.25 2559.48 MQAAVAVSVPFLLLCVLGTCPPARC 1442 2560.21 2559.48 MSRLRALLGLGLLVAGSRVPRIKS 1443 2564.19 2564.01 MRIAVLFFTIFFFMSQVLPAKG 1444 2564.2 2564.01

TABLE 41 Signal Peptide m/z Amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. MW of the corresponding peak MLPCASCLPGSLLLWALLLLLLGSA 1445 2569.28 2571.26 MKPWILLLVMFISGVVMLLPVLG 1446 2570.4 2571.26 MTRGRAWGMRRAAAGAGGARAAGPTGG 1447 2571.94 2571.26 MSRKIEGFLLLLLFGYEATLGLS 1448 2572.11 2571.26 MPPFLLLEAVCVFLFSRVPPSLP 1449 2573.21 2571.26 MGVRVHVVAASALLYFILLSGTRC 1450 2577.16 2578.45 MVLAAPLLLGFLLLALELRPRGEA 1451 2577.22 2578.45 MMAGMKIQLVCMLLLAFSSWSLC 1452 2577.33 2578.45 MPRPGTMALCLLTLVLSLLPPQAAA 1453 2578.25 2578.45 MMQLLQLLLGLLGPGGYLFLLGDC 1454 2579.23 2578.45 MRELVNIPLVHILTLVAFSGTEK 1455 2581.12 2581.25 MAAFPHKIIFFLVCSTLTHVAFS 1456 2581.15 2581.25 MRQAGRAALLAALLLLVQLCPGSSQ 1457 2581.15 2581.25 MKLDMTGDCMPVLVLMAAVLTVTGA 1458 2581.25 2581.25 MAPLLPIRTLPLILILLALLSPGAA 1459 2581.33 2581.25 MALARGSRQLGALVWGACLCVLVHG 1460 2582.16 2581.25, 2583.37 MWMFSWLCAILIILAIAGMNTIA 1461 2583.29 2583.37, 2584.81 MDILVPLLQLLVLLLTLPLHLMA 1462 2583.37 2583.37, 2584.81 MRVTAPRTVLLLLSGALALTETWA 1463 2584.12 2583.37, 2584.81 MRVTAPRTVLLLLSGALALTETWA 1464 2584.12 2583.37, 2584.81 MRVTAPRTVLLLLSGALALTETWA 1465 2584.12 2583.37, 2584.81 MRVTAPRTVLLLLSGALALTETWA 1466 2584.12 2583.37, 2584.81 MRVMAPRALLLLLSGGLALTETWA 1467 2584.19 2583.37, 2584.81 MRVMAPRALLLLLSGGLALTETWA 1468 2584.19 2583.37, 2584.81 MRVMAPRALLLLLSGGLALTETWA 1469 2584.19 2583.37, 2584.81 MRVMAPRALLLLLSGGLALTETWA 1470 2584.19 2583.37, 2584.81 MGASRDRGLAALWCLGLLGGLARVAG 1471 2585.1 2583.37, 2584.81, 2587.01 MAVMAPRTLVLLLSGALALTQTWAG 1472 2585.18 2583.37, 2584.81, 2587.01 MAVMAPRTLVLLLSGALALTQTWAG 1473 2585.18 2583.37, 2584.81, 2587.01 MAVMAPRTLVLLLSGALALTQTWAG 1474 2585.18 2583.37, 2584.81, 2587.01 MEACCLLQLPQRLLLLGAAALTATA 1475 2585.2 2583.37, 2584.81, 2587.01 MLVMAPRTVLLLLSAALALTETWA 1476 2585.22 2583.37, 2584.81, 2587.01 MLVMAPRTVLLLLSAALALTETWA 1477 2585.22 2583.37, 2584.81, 2587.01 MLVMAPRTVLLLLSAALALTETWA 1478 2585.22 2583.37, 2584.81, 2587.01 MLVMAPRTVLLLLSAALALTETWA 1479 2585.22 2583.37, 2584.81, 2587.01 MLVMAPRTVLLLLSAALALTETWA 1480 2585.22 2583.37, 2584.81, 2587.01 MALKWTSVLLLIHLGCYFSSGSCG 1481 2587.13 2587.01, 2588.9 MGSGGDSLLGGRGSLPLLLLLIMGGMA 1482 2587.17 2587.01, 2588.9 MAGAGGGLGVWGNLVLLGLCSWTGARA 1483 2588.06 2587.01, 2588.9 MHVAEVAVNVILLLSMGWTSDSLC 1484 2589.1 2588.9 MLTRNCLSLLLWVLFDGGLLTPL 1485 2589.21 2588.9 MAPAQRPLLPLLLLLLPLPPPPFA 1486 2589.32 2588.9 MAAIRMGKLTTMPAGLIYASVSVHA 1487 2590.18 2588.9 MKVLGRSFFWVLFPVLPWAVQA 1488 2592.19 2593.68 MRQKAVSLFLCYLLLFTCSGVEA 1489 2593.18 2593.68 MPPPRTGRGLLWLGLVLSSVCVALG 1490 2593.2 2593.68

TABLE 42 Signal Peptide m/z Amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. MW of the corresponding peak MLFRNRFLLLLALAALLAFVSLS 1491 2593.26 2593.68 MLPLPSCSLPILLLFLLPSVPIES 1492 2593.28 2593.68 MKAMPWNWTCLLSHLLMVGMGSS 1493 2594.21 2593.68, 2596.11 MALGKVLAMALVLALAVLGSLSPGARA 1494 2594.27 2593.68, 2596.11 MVPSSPRALFLLLLILACPEPRAS 1495 2595.22 2593.68, 2596.11 MCRIAGALRTLLPLLAALLQASVEA 1496 2595.22 2593.68, 2596.11 MNNFRATILFWAAAAWAKSGKPSG 1497 2596.01 2596.11 MHLRLISWLFIILNFMEYIGS 1498 2597.19 2596.11 MKLANWYWLSSAVLATYGFLVVA 1499 2604.11 2603.33 MTMCSGARLALLVYGIIMHSSVYS 1500 2604.18 2603.33 MGLRSHHLSLGLLLLFLLPAECLG 1501 2604.23 2603.33 MGTARIAPGLALLLCCPVLSSAYALV 1502 2604.24 2603.33 MDAQTWPVGFRCLLLLALVGSARS 1503 2605.13 2603.33 MYREWVVVNVFMMLYVQLVQG 1504 2605.19 2603.33 MSSRIARALALVVTLLHLTRLALS 1505 2606.22 2608.2 MARGPGLAPPPLRLPLLLLVLAAVTG 1506 2607.29 2608.2 MGSLSNYALLQLTLTAFLTILVQP 1507 2608.14 2608.2 MAAPTPARPVLTHLLVALFGMGSWA 1508 2608.17 2608.2 MKIQLFFFILHFWVTILPARS 1509 2608.24 2608.2 MELRPWLLWVVAATGTLVLLAADA 1510 2610.16 2608.2 MARAGWTSPVPLCVCLLLTCGFAEA 1511 2610.19 2608.2 MKGGCVSQWKAAAGFLFCVMVFASA 1512 2610.19 2608.2 MCAERLGQFMTLALVLATFDPARG 1513 2612.14 2613.31 MLSFVDTRTLLLLAVTLCLATCQS 1514 2613.21 2613.31, 2614.91 MRTAPSLRRCVCLLLAAILDLARG 1515 2613.26 2613.31, 2614.91 MKPATGLWVWVSLLVAAGTVQPSDS 1516 2614.06 2613.31, 2614.91 MGIFLVYVGFVFFSVLYVQQGLS 1517 2614.15 2613.31, 2614.91 MPSLPAPPAPLLLLGLLLLGSRPARG 1518 2621.28 2622.46 MRKHVLAASFSMLSLLVIMGDTDS 1519 2623.16 2622.46 MNVDAEASMAVISLLFLAVMYVVH 1520 2624.19 2622.46 MSPPPLLQPLLLLLPLLNVEPSGAT 1521 2624.23 2622.46 MRVMAPRTLILLLSGALALTETWA 1522 2628.25 2629.26 MRVMAPRTLILLLSGALALTETWA 1523 2628.25 2629.26 MRVMAPRTLILLLSGALALTETWA 1524 2628.25 2629.26 MRVMAPRTLILLLSGALALTETWA 1525 2628.25 2629.26 MRVMAPRTLILLLSGALALTETWA 1526 2628.25 2629.26 MTSCGQQSLNVLAVLFSLLFSAVLS 1527 2629.14 2629.26 MATRSVLLALVVLNLLFYVPPGRS 1528 2630.24 2629.26 MARFLTLCTWLLLLGPGLLATVRA 1529 2630.31 2629.26 MHTLTGFSLVSLLSFGYLSWDWA 1530 2632.04 2633.69 MHWGTLCGFLWLWPYLFYVQA 1531 2632.15 2633.69 MRAVPLPAPLLPLLLLALLAAPAARA 1532 2633.37 2633.69, 2634.61 MVVMAPRTLFLLLSGALTLTETWA 1533 2635.23 2633.69, 2634.61 MISSVKLNLILVLSLSTMHVFWC 1534 2635.3 2633.69, 2634.61 MDVRALPWLPWLLWLLCRGGGDA 163 2639.19 2640.51 MDTTAAAALPAFVALLLLSPWPLLGS 164 2640.19 2640.51, 2641.73

TABLE 43 Signal Peptide m/z Amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. MW of the corresponding peak MARLGALLLAAALGALLSFALLAAAVAS 165 2640.28 2640.51, 2641.73 MARHGLPLLPLLSLLVGAWLKLGNG 166 2640.28 2640.51, 2641.73 MTAWILLPVSLSAFSITGIWTVYA 167 2641.17 2640.51, 2641.73 MRVTAPRTVLLLLSGALALTETWAG 168 2641.18 2640.51, 2641.73 MMNMSLPFLWSLLTLLIFAEVNG 169 2641.26 2640.51, 2641.73 MARPDPSAPPSLLLLLLAQLVGRAAA 170 2642.21 2640.51, 2641.73 MLVMAPRTVLLLLSAALALTETWAG 171 2642.27 2640.51, 2641.73 MLVMAPRTVLLLLSAALALTETWAG 172 2642.27 2640.51, 2641.73 MKTFTWTLGVLFFLLVDTGHCRG 1535 2643.17 2641.73 MASVAWAVLKVLLLLPTQTWSPVGA 1536 2652.24 2652.85 MASVAWAVLKVLLLLPTQTWSPVGA 1537 2652.24 2652.85 MRWLWPLAVSLAVILAVGLSRVSGG 1538 2652.25 2652.85 MAAASAGATRLLLLLLMAVAAPSRARG 1539 2653.26 2652.85, 2655.08 MGTRGAVMPPPMWGLLGCCFVCAWA 1540 2655.32 2655.08 MKPALLPWALLLLATALGPGPGPTADA 1541 2656.23 2655.08 MQKIMHISVLLSPVLWGLIFGVSS 1542 2656.3 2655.08 MHPDLGPLCTLLYVTLTILCSSVSS 1543 2664.21 2665.15 MSLMVVSMACVGFFLLEGPWPHVGG 1544 2665.27 2665.15 MEPRLFCWTTLFLLAGWCLPGLP 1545 2665.29 2665.15 MKCTAREWLRVTTVLFMARAIPA 1546 2665.29 2665.15 MPPAGLRRAAPLTAIALLVLGAPLVLA 1547 2666.36 2665.15 MEALLLGAGLLLGAYVLVYYNLVKA 1548 2668.28 2670 MKITSTSCICPVLVCLCFVQRCYG 1549 2668.36 2670 MRVTAPRTVLLLLWGAVALTETWA 1550 2669.23 2670 MRVTAPRTVLLLLWGAVALTETWA 1551 2669.23 2670 MRVTAPRTVLLLLWGAVALTETWA 1552 2669.23 2670 MARAGWTGLLPLYVCLLLTCGFAKA 1553 2669.32 2670 MAGPGSPRRASRGASALLAAALLYAALG 1554 2670.14 2670 MLGIWTLLPLVLTSVARLSSKSVNA 1555 2670.26 2670 MVLAFQLVSFTYIWILKPNVCA 1556 2670.32 2670 MDSLPRLTSVLTLLFSGLWHLGLT 1557 2671.2 2670 MAHTFRGCSLAFMFIITWLLIKA 1558 2671.34 2670 MQKLQLCVYIYLFMLIVAGPVDL 1559 2671.37 2670 MSQAWVPGLAPTLLFSLLAGPQKIAA 1560 2681.24 2682.8 MYFLTPILVAILCILVVWIFKNA 1561 2681.43 2682.8 MQGAQEASASEMLPLLLPLLWAGALA 1562 2682.2 2682.8 MPGPPALRRRLLLLLLVLLIAGSAGA 1563 2682.41 2682.8 MRVTAPRTLLLLLWGAVALTETWA 1564 2683.26 2682.8 MVAWRSAFLVCLAFSLATLVQRGSG 1565 2684.23 2682.8 CLKFPGGSCMAALTVTLMVLSSPLALA 1566 2695.37 2696.41 MAAGSRTSLLLAFGLLCLSWLQEGSA 1567 2696.19 2696.41, 2697.73 MAAGSRTSLLLAFGLLCLSWLQEGSA 1568 2696.19 2696.41, 2697.73 MATSTGRWLLLRLALFGFLWEASG 173 2697.2 2696.41, 2697.73, 2698.27 MAWGGVHTCCFHLCCCCSWPQGAVP 174 2697.26 2696.41, 2697.73, 2698.27 MRVTAPRTLLLLLWGALALTETWA 175 2697.29 2696.41, 2697.73, 2698.27 MGGPAAPRGAGRLRALLLALVVAGIPAGA 176 2697.29 2696.41, 2697.73, 2698.27

TABLE 44 Signal Peptide m/z Amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. MW of the corresponding peak MLAASIFRPTLLLCWLAAPWPTQP 177 2697.31 2696.41, 2697.73, 2698.27 MRQRLLPSVTSLLLVALLFPGSSQA 178 2698.27 2696.41, 2697.73, 2698.27, 2699.82 MYSFNTLRLYLWETIVFFSLAASKEAEA 1569 3301.81 3302.01, 3303.21 MEPGPTAAQRRCSLPPWLPLGLLLWSGLALG 1570 3301.97 3302.01, 3303.21 MKTQRDGHSLGRWSLVLLLLGLVMPLAIIA 1571 3303.09 3302.01, 3303.21 MSPVRRWGSPCLFPLQLFSLCWVLSVAQS 1572 3308.99 3309.84 MCFPKVLSDDMKKLKARMVMLLPTSAQGLG 1573 3310.15 3309.84 MCPSEMGTLWHHWSPVLISLAALFSKVTEG 179 3328.93 3330.34 MAPRARRRRPLFALLLLCALLARLQVALQ 180 3331.2 3330.34 MLRGISQLPAVATMSWVLLPVLWLIVQTQA 1574 3336.12 3337.92 MRRISLTSSPVRLLLFLLLLLIALEIMVGG 1575 3339.25 3337.92 MCSYYHMKKRSVSGCNITIFAVMFSHLSAG 1576 3370.03 3370.39 MNWELLLWLLVLCALLLLLVQLLRFLRA 1577 3380.35 3380.43 MKCLGKRRGQAAAFLPLCWLFLKILQPGHS 1578 3384.19 3384.77 MKTKLNIYNMQFLLFVFLVWDPARLVLA 1579 3385.19 3384.77 MAWKSSVIMQMGRFLLLVILFLPREMTSS 1580 3386.22 3384.77

Example 3 Peptide Synthesis

Synthetic peptides comprising the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID Nos: 1 to 180 described above were synthesized by solid-phase synthesis (Fmoc method) using a commercial peptide synthesizer (manufactured by Intavis AG) according to the manual. In the explanation below, these synthetic peptides are called peptides 1 to 180. Regarding the mode of use of the peptide synthesizer, detailed explanations are omitted because this is not a feature of the invention.

Example 4 Preparation of Liquid Composition

The synthetic peptides (synthetic marker peptides) of peptides 1 to 180 above were each dissolved in 0.1% TFA/50% ACN aqueous solution to a peptide concentration of 1 μmol/mL, to obtain liquid compositions (ALS testing compositions) having the synthetic marker peptides disclosed here as principal components.

Example 5 Preparation of ALS Testing Chips

ALS testing chips were prepared comprising the synthetic peptides (synthetic marker peptides) of peptides 1 to 180 above immobilized on substrates. For the substrate, EVA film was affixed to a measurement plate commonly used in MALDI MS. That is, this was a plate-shaped substrate in which the surface on which the synthetic marker peptide was immobilized was made of thermoplastic resin.

Each ALS testing composition was first diluted 100 times with 0.1% TFA/50% ACN aqueous solution, to prepare a synthetic marker peptide dilution. This synthetic marker peptide dilution was then mixed at a volume ratio of 1:1 with matrix liquid. A 0.1% TFA/50% ACN aqueous solution containing 5 mg/mL sinapinic acid (CHCA) was used as the matrix liquid.

2 μL of the mixed solution obtained by mixing this matrix liquid with the synthetic marker peptide dilution was then dripped onto the substrate, and vacuum dried to prepare an ALS testing chip.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As discussed above, data about whether a test subject suffers from or has developed ALS (typically, data showing whether there is a strong likelihood that the test subject suffers from or has developed ALS) can be obtained by the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here. That is, ALS can be detected with a high degree of accuracy by the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here. Consequently, the method for aiding ALS detection disclosed here can be used favorably for predicting, diagnosing (early diagnosis) and initiating treatment for ALS, and as a follow-up indicator after the start of treatment (typically, as an indicator for determining the effects of treatment).

Moreover, the ALS biomarker disclosed here can be used favorably as an indicator for detecting (diagnosing) with a high degree of accuracy whether a test subject suffers from or has developed ALS. That is, the synthetic marker peptide disclosed here (or an ALS testing composition, ALS testing kit or ALS testing chip containing the synthetic marker peptide) can be used favorably for the purpose of detecting (diagnosing) ALS with a high degree of accuracy.

(Sequence Listing Free Text)

SEQ ID Nos: 1 to 1580 Peptides 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for aiding detection of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the method comprising: analyzing to determine a presence or an absence of an ALS-associated signal peptide in a bodily fluid from a test subject or analyzing to determine a degree of abundance of the ALS-associated signal peptide when present, and comparing the presence or the absence of the ALS-associated signal peptide or the degree of abundance of the ALS-associated signal peptide in the bodily fluid from the test subject with a reference level that has been set based on results obtained by having determined the presence or the absence of the ALS-associated signal peptide, or by having determined the degree of abundance of the ALS-associated signal peptide in a bodily fluid from at least one healthy subject, wherein a molecular weight of the ALS-associated signal peptide is: 1405.71±2, 1406.49±2, 1409.40±2, 1410.97±2, 1418.70±2, 1426.68±2, 1437.62±2, 1445.77±2, 1451.61±2, 1456.44±2, 1458.88±2, 1466.24±2, 1468.86±2, 1472.12±2, 1476.87±2, 1482.60±2, 1493.58±2, 1495.42±2, 1496.52±2, 1497.16±2, 1498.88±2, 1502.40±2, 1505.52±2, 1508.76±2, 1510.50±2, 1516.64±2, 1521.93±2, 1529.32±2, 1530.37±2, 1533.52±2, 1539.36±2, 1544.22±2, 1553.72±2, 1555.72±2, 1560.24±2, 1566.20±2, 1567.20±2, 1567.74±2, 1575.70±2, 1578.07±2, 1580.91±2, 1589.58±2, 1592.55±2, 1597.25±2, 1608.53±2, 1609.36±2, 1610.62±2, 1616.12±2, 1629.15±2, 1639.39±2, 1640.36±2, 1646.58±2, 1655.72±2, 1657.97±2, 1659.24±2, 1660.46±2, 1662.16±2, 1679.09±2, 1682.54±2, 1683.12±2, 1687.34±2, 1688.14±2, 1691.08±2, 1691.75±2, 1694.76±2, 1695.74±2, 1700.65±2, 1702.19±2, 1705.53±2, 1708.77±2, 1712.10±2, 1714.63±2, 1715.56±2, 1719.51±2, 1721.61±2, 1726.31±2, 1737.85±2, 1739.71±2, 1743.69±2, 1761.79±2, 1769.93±2, 1774.13±2, 1775.70±2, 1786.39±2, 1788.03±2, 1790.80±2, 1796.23±2, 1797.49±2, 1800.34±2, 1801.79±2, 1804.45±2, 1810.72±2, 1812.31±2, 1813.77±2, 1817.26±2, 1818.66±2, 1819.34±2, 1819.93±2, 1821.71±2, 1822.73±2, 1829.48±2, 1831.81±2, 1832.41±2, 1836.18±2, 1837.33±2, 1840.84±2, 1849.81±2, 1854.68±2, 1858.34±2, 1864.19±2, 1866.06±2, 1875.28±2, 1876.50±2, 1878.25±2, 1890.21±2, 1891.32±2, 1893.00±2, 1904.69±2, 1911.46±2, 1913.68±2, 1916.02±2, 1919.35±2, 1927.13±2, 1931.84±2, 1934.86±2, 1935.52±2, 1936.83±2, 1937.87±2, 1941.22±2, 1944.97±2, 1948.39±2, 1952.47±2, 1957.80±2, 1962.82±2, 1969.82±2, 1972.54±2, 1975.58±2, 1976.51±2, 1977.70±2, 1979.29±2, 1988.46±2, 1991.91±2, 1995.37±2, 2009.91±2, 2011.18±2, 2013.86±2, 2023.97±2, 2027.73±2, 2030.95±2, 2032.69±2, 2039.29±2, 2043.12±2, 2045.68±2, 2051.76±2, 2055.50±2, 2059.05±2, 2062.98±2, 2065.57±2, 2066.09±2, 2074.03±2, 2075.32±2, 2079.80±2, 2083.74±2, 2084.36±2, 2085.85±2, 2089.53±2, 2092.25±2, 2092.80±2, 2097.03±2, 2099.42±2, 2111.39±2, 2113.10±2, 2115.77±2, 2120.37±2, 2126.55±2, 2137.63±2, 2139.15±2, 2140.48±2, 2143.42±2, 2146.46±2, 2149.85±2, 2151.02±2, 2160.22±2, 2161.68±2, 2167.09±2, 2167.78±2, 2168.75±2, 2173.75±2, 2177.51±2, 2179.25±2, 2184.93±2, 2185.65±2, 2186.28±2, 2190.18±2, 2191.02±2, 2192.84±2, 2196.47±2, 2199.82±2, 2201.22±2, 2204.02±2, 2207.10±2, 2211.58±2, 2216.77±2, 2218.45±2, 2219.30±2, 2220.56±2, 2222.74±2, 2226.96±2, 2228.22±2, 2231.60±2, 2239.71±2, 2244.01±2, 2251.78±2, 2254.83±2, 2256.53±2, 2261.91±2, 2266.45±2, 2268.58±2, 2274.97±2, 2276.04±2, 2278.67±2, 2281.09±2, 2285.01±2, 2289.43±2, 2290.85±2, 2292.35±2, 2295.92±2, 2296.92±2, 2301.71±2, 2302.50±2, 2303.21±2, 2305.43±2, 2307.22±2, 2314.24±2, 2314.81±2, 2317.68±2, 2325.30±2, 2327.73±2, 2341.14±2, 2342.87±2, 2344.45±2, 2351.97±2, 2353.99±2, 2355.29±2, 2357.54±2, 2367.75±2, 2375.59±2, 2378.35±2, 2380.39±2, 2393.64±2, 2402.11±2, 2404.01±2, 2406.49±2, 2412.79±2, 2414.25±2, 2415.20±2, 2416.30±2, 2431.13±2, 2434.36±2, 2438.19±2, 2439.22±2, 2444.37±2, 2451.90±2, 2453.96±2, 2455.44±2, 2456.62±2, 2459.43±2, 2462.31±2, 2464.16±2, 2470.97±2, 2478.17±2, 2479.28±2, 2484.18±2, 2500.40±2, 2502.64±2, 2504.73±2, 2507.42±2, 2509.21±2, 2515.26±2, 2517.43±2, 2519.07±2, 2527.31±2, 2531.06±2, 2532.26±2, 2546.08±2, 2554.96±2, 2559.48±2, 2564.01±2, 2571.26±2, 2578.45±2, 2581.25±2, 2583.37±2, 2584.81±2, 2587.01±2, 2588.90±2, 2593.68±2, 2596.11±2, 2603.33±2, 2608.20±2, 2613.31±2, 2614.91±2, 2622.46±2, 2629.26±2, 2633.69±2, 2634.61±2, 2640.51±2, 2641.73±2, 2652.85±2, 2655.08±2, 2665.15±2, 2670.00±2, 2682.80±2, 2696.41±2, 2697.73±2, 2698.27±2, 2699.82±2, 3302.01±2, 3303.21±2, 3309.84±2, 3323.89±2, 3330.34±2, 3337.92±2, 3366.84±2, 3370.39±2, 3378.18±2, 3380.43±2 or 3384.77±2, wherein the degree of abundance of any of the ALS-associated signal peptides having the following molecular weights out of the tested ALS-associated signal peptides in the bodily fluid from the test subject is confirmed to be high in comparison with the reference level: 1405.71±2, 1406.49±2, 1409.40±2, 1410.97±2, 1418.70±2, 1426.68±2, 1437.62±2, 1445.77±2, 1451.61±2, 1456.44±2, 1458.88±2, 1466.24±2, 1468.86±2, 1472.12±2, 1476.87±2, 1482.60±2, 1493.58±2, 1495.42±2, 1496.52±2, 1498.88±2, 1502.40±2, 1505.52±2, 1508.76±2, 1510.50±2, 1516.64±2, 1521.93±2, 1529.32±2, 1530.37±2, 1533.52±2, 1539.36±2, 1544.22±2, 1553.72±2, 1555.72±2, 1560.24±2, 1566.20±2, 1567.20±2, 1575.70±2, 1578.07±2, 1580.91±2, 1589.58±2, 1592.55±2, 1597.25±2, 1608.53±2, 1609.36±2, 1610.62±2, 1616.12±2, 1629.15±2, 1639.39±2, 1640.36±2, 1646.58±2, 1655.72±2, 1657.97±2, 1659.24±2, 1660.46±2, 1662.16±2, 1679.09±2, 1682.54±2, 1683.12±2, 1687.34±2, 1688.14±2, 1691.08±2, 1691.75±2, 1694.76±2, 1695.74±2, 1700.65±2, 1702.19±2, 1708.77±2, 1712.10±2, 1714.63±2, 1715.56±2, 1719.51±2, 1721.61±2, 1726.31±2, 1737.85±2, 1739.71±2, 1743.69±2, 1761.79±2, 1769.93±2, 1774.13±2, 1775.70±2, 1786.39±2, 1788.03±2, 1790.80±2, 1796.23±2, 1797.49±2, 1800.34±2, 1801.79±2, 1804.45±2, 1810.72±2, 1812.3±21, 1813.77±2, 1817.26±2, 1818.66±2, 1819.93±2, 1821.71±2, 1822.73±2, 1829.48±2, 1832.41±2, 1836.18±2, 1837.33±2, 1840.84±2, 1849.81±2, 1854.68±2, 1858.34±2, 1864.19±2, 1866.06±2, 1875.28±2, 1876.50±2, 1878.25±2, 1890.21±2, 1891.32±2, 1893.00±2, 1904.69±2, 1911.46±2, 1913.68±2, 1916.02±2, 1919.35±2, 1927.13±2, 1931.84±2, 1934.86±2, 1936.83±2, 1937.87±2, 1941.22±2, 1944.97±2, 1948.39±2, 1952.47±2, 1957.80±2, 1962.82±2, 1969.82±2, 1972.54±2, 1975.58±2, 1976.51±2, 1977.70±2, 1979.29±2, 1988.46±2, 1991.91±2, 1995.37±2, 2009.91±2, 2011.18±2, 2013.86±2, 2023.97±2, 2027.73±2, 2030.95±2, 2032.69±2, 2039.29±2, 2043.12±2, 2045.68±2, 2051.76±2, 2059.05±2, 2062.98±2, 2066.09±2, 2074.03±2, 2075.32±2, 2079.80±2, 2083.74±2, 2085.85±2, 2089.53±2, 2092.80±2, 2097.03±2, 2099.42±2, 2111.39±2, 2113.10±2, 2115.77±2, 2120.37±2, 2126.55±2, 2137.63±2, 2139.15±2, 2143.42±2, 2146.46±2, 2149.85±2, 2151.02±2, 2160.22±2, 2161.68±2, 2167.09±2, 2168.75±2, 2173.75±2, 2177.51±2, 2179.25±2, 2185.65±2, 2186.28±2, 2190.18±2, 2191.02±2, 2192.84±2, 2196.47±2, 2199.82±2, 2201.22±2, 2204.02±2, 2207.10±2, 2211.58±2, 2216.77±2, 2218.45±2, 2219.30±2, 2220.56±2, 2222.74±2, 2226.96±2, 2228.22±2, 2231.60±2, 2239.71±2, 2244.01±2, 2251.78±2, 2254.83±2, 2256.53±2, 2261.91±2, 2266.45±2, 2268.58±2, 2274.97±2, 2276.04±2, 2278.67±2, 2281.09±2, 2285.01±2, 2289.43±2, 2290.85±2, 2292.35±2, 2295.92±2, 2296.92±2, 2301.71±2, 2302.50±2, 2303.21±2, 2305.43±2, 2307.22±2, 2314.24±2, 2317.68±2, 2325.30±2, 2341.14±2, 2342.87±2, 2344.45±2, 2351.97±2, 2353.99±2, 2355.29±2, 2357.54±2, 2367.75±2, 2375.59±2, 2378.35±2, 2380.39±2, 2393.64±2, 2402.11±2, 2404.01±2, 2406.49±2, 2412.79±2, 2414.25±2, 2415.20±2, 2416.30±2, 2431.13±2, 2434.36±2, 2438.19±2, 2439.22±2, 2444.37±2, 2451.90±2, 2453.96±2, 2455.44±2, 2456.62±2, 2459.43±2, 2462.31±2, 2464.16±2, 2470.97±2, 2478.17±2, 2479.28±2, 2484.18±2, 2500.40±2, 2502.64±2, 2504.73±2, 2507.42±2, 2509.21±2, 2515.26±2, 2517.43±2, 2519.07±2, 2527.31±2, 2531.06±2, 2532.26±2, 2546.08±2, 2554.96±2, 2559.48±2, 2564.01±2, 2571.26±2, 2578.45±2, 2581.25±2, 2583.37±2, 2584.81±2, 2587.01±2, 2588.90±2, 2593.68±2, 2596.11±2, 2603.33±2, 2608.20±2, 2613.31±2, 2614.91±2, 2622.46±2, 2629.26±2, 2633.69±2, 2634.61±2, 2640.51±2, 2641.73±2, 2652.85±2, 2655.08±2, 2665.15±2, 2670.00±2, 2682.80±2, 2696.41±2, 2698.27±2, 2699.82±2, 3302.01±2, 3303.21±2, 3323.89±2, 3330.34±2, 33317.92±2, 3366.84±2, 3370.39±2, 3378.18±2, 3380.43±2 and 3384.77±2, wherein the presence or the absence or the degree of abundance of the ALS-associated signal peptide in the bodily fluid from the test subject is tested with a mass spectrometer, wherein further comprising: immobilizing the bodily fluid on a thermoplastic resin before the presence or the absence and the degree of abundance of the ALS-associated signal peptide in the bodily fluid is tested, and wherein the presence or the absence and the degree of abundance of the ALS-associated signal peptide in the bodily fluid immobilized on the thermoplastic resin is determined by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein an amino acid sequence of the ALS-associated signal peptide is any of amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID Nos: 1 to 16, 21 to 27, 29 to 46, 53 to 67, 72 to 87, 94 to 108, 118 to 172, 179 to 243, 248 to 295, 297 to 304, 307 to 317, 320 to 333, 337 to 354, 359 to 422, 424, 425, 430 to 585, 587 to 593, 595 to 605, 607 to 693, 696, 699 to 777, 786 to 902, 906 to 914, 918 to 945, 947 to 983, 990 to 1029, 1042 to 1201, 1208 to 1217, 1230 to 1566, 1569 to 1571 and 1574 to
 1580. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least the degree of abundance of an ALS-associated signal peptide with a molecular weight of 1502.40±2, 1521.93±2, 1629.15±2, 1682.54±2, 1691.75±2, 1705.53±2, 1821.71±2, 1836.18±2, 1948.39±2, 2011.18±2, 2092.80±2, 2099.42±2, 2177.51±2, 2179.25±2, 2186.28±2, 2211.58±2, 2226.96±2, 2254.83±2, 2278.67±2, 2290.85±2, 2292.35±2, 2502.64±2, 2640.51±2, 2698.27±2 or 3330.34±2 is tested.
 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein an amino acid sequence constituting the ALS-associated signal peptide is any of amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID Nos: 1 to
 180. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least 10 kinds of ALS-associated signal peptides having molecular weights differing by at least 3 from each other are tested in the bodily fluid from the test subject.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the bodily fluid is a cerebrospinal fluid.
 7. A method for aiding detection of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the method comprising: analyzing to determine a presence or an absence of an ALS-associated signal peptide in a bodily fluid from a test subject or analyzing to determine a degree of abundance of the ALS-associated signal peptide when present, and comparing the presence or the absence of the ALS-associated signal peptide or the degree of abundance of the ALS-associated signal peptide in the bodily fluid from the test subject with a reference level that has been set based on results obtained by having determined the presence or the absence of the ALS-associated signal peptide, or by having determined the degree of abundance of the ALS-associated signal peptide in a bodily fluid from at least one healthy subject, wherein a molecular weight of the ALS-associated signal peptide is: 1405.71±2, 1406.49±2, 1409.40±2, 1410.97±2, 1418.70±2, 1426.68±2, 1437.62±2, 1445.77±2, 1451.61±2, 1456.44±2, 1458.88±2, 1466.24±2, 1468.86±2, 1472.12±2, 1476.87±2, 1482.60±2, 1493.58±2, 1495.42±2, 1496.52±2, 1497.16±2, 1498.88±2, 1502.40±2, 1505.52±2, 1508.76±2, 1510.50±2, 1516.64±2, 1521.93±2, 1529.32±2, 1530.37±2, 1533.52±2, 1539.36±2, 1544.22±2, 1553.72±2, 1555.72±2, 1560.24±2, 1566.20±2, 1567.20±2, 1567.74±2, 1575.70±2, 1578.07±2, 1580.91±2, 1589.58±2, 1592.55±2, 1597.25±2, 1608.53±2, 1609.36±2, 1610.62±2, 1616.12±2, 1629.15±2, 1639.39±2, 1640.36±2, 1646.58±2, 1655.72±2, 1657.97±2, 1659.24±2, 1660.46±2, 1662.16±2, 1679.09±2, 1682.54±2, 1683.12±2, 1687.34±2, 1688.14±2, 1691.08±2, 1691.75±2, 1694.76±2, 1695.74±2, 1700.65±2, 1702.19±2, 1705.53±2, 1708.77±2, 1712.10±2, 1714.63±2, 1715.56±2, 1719.51±2, 1721.61±2, 1726.31±2, 1737.85±2, 1739.71±2, 1743.69±2, 1761.79±2, 1769.93±2, 1774.13±2, 1775.70±2, 1786.39±2, 1788.03±2, 1790.80±2, 1796.23±2, 1797.49±2, 1800.34±2, 1801.79±2, 1804.45±2, 1810.72±2, 1812.31±2, 1813.77±2, 1817.26±2, 1818.66±2, 1819.34±2, 1819.93±2, 1821.71±2, 1822.73±2, 1829.48±2, 1831.81±2, 1832.41±2, 1836.18±2, 1837.33±2, 1840.84±2, 1849.81±2, 1854.68±2, 1858.34±2, 1864.19±2, 1866.06±2, 1875.28±2, 1876.50±2, 1878.25±2, 1890.21±2, 1891.32±2, 1893.00±2, 1904.69±2, 1911.46±2, 1913.68±2, 1916.02±2, 1919.35±2, 1927.13±2, 1931.84±2, 1934.86±2, 1935.52±2, 1936.83±2, 1937.87±2, 1941.22±2, 1944.97±2, 1948.39±2, 1952.47±2, 1957.80±2, 1962.82±2, 1969.82±2, 1972.54±2, 1975.58±2, 1976.51±2, 1977.70±2, 1979.29±2, 1988.46±2, 1991.91±2, 1995.37±2, 2009.91±2, 2011.18±2, 2013.86±2, 2023.97±2, 2027.73±2, 2030.95±2, 2032.69±2, 2039.29±2, 2043.12±2, 2045.68±2, 2051.76±2, 2055.50±2, 2059.05±2, 2062.98±2, 2065.57±2, 2066.09±2, 2074.03±2, 2075.32±2, 2079.80±2, 2083.74±2, 2084.36±2, 2085.85±2, 2089.53±2, 2092.25±2, 2092.80±2, 2097.03±2, 2099.42±2, 2111.39±2, 2113.10±2, 2115.77±2, 2120.37±2, 2126.55±2, 2137.63±2, 2139.15±2, 2140.48±2, 2143.42±2, 2146.46±2, 2149.85±2, 2151.02±2, 2160.22±2, 2161.68±2, 2167.09±2, 2167.78±2, 2168.75±2, 2173.75±2, 2177.51±2, 2179.25±2, 2184.93±2, 2185.65±2, 2186.28±2, 2190.18±2, 2191.02±2, 2192.84±2, 2196.47±2, 2199.82±2, 2201.22±2, 2204.02±2, 2207.10±2, 2211.58±2, 2216.77±2, 2218.45±2, 2219.30±2, 2220.56±2, 2222.74±2, 2226.96±2, 2228.22±2, 2231.60±2, 2239.71±2, 2244.01±2, 2251.78±2, 2254.83±2, 2256.53±2, 2261.91±2, 2266.45±2, 2268.58±2, 2274.97±2, 2276.04±2, 2278.67±2, 2281.09±2, 2285.01±2, 2289.43±2, 2290.85±2, 2292.35±2, 2295.92±2, 2296.92±2, 2301.71±2, 2302.50±2, 2303.21±2, 2305.43±2, 2307.22±2, 2314.24±2, 2314.81±2, 2317.68±2, 2325.30±2, 2327.73±2, 2341.14±2, 2342.87±2, 2344.45±2, 2351.97±2, 2353.99±2, 2355.29±2, 2357.54±2, 2367.75±2, 2375.59±2, 2378.35±2, 2380.39±2, 2393.64±2, 2402.11±2, 2404.01±2, 2406.49±2, 2412.79±2, 2414.25±2, 2415.20±2, 2416.30±2, 2431.13±2, 2434.36±2, 2438.19±2, 2439.22±2, 2444.37±2, 2451.90±2, 2453.96±2, 2455.44±2, 2456.62±2, 2459.43±2, 2462.31±2, 2464.16±2, 2470.97±2, 2478.17±2, 2479.28±2, 2484.18±2, 2500.40±2, 2502.64±2, 2504.73±2, 2507.42±2, 2509.21±2, 2515.26±2, 2517.43±2, 2519.07±2, 2527.31±2, 2531.06±2, 2532.26±2, 2546.08±2, 2554.96±2, 2559.48±2, 2564.01±2, 2571.26±2, 2578.45±2, 2581.25±2, 2583.37±2, 2584.81±2, 2587.01±2, 2588.90±2, 2593.68±2, 2596.11±2, 2603.33±2, 2608.20±2, 2613.31±2, 2614.91±2, 2622.46±2, 2629.26±2, 2633.69±2, 2634.61±2, 2640.51±2, 2641.73±2, 2652.85±2, 2655.08±2, 2665.15±2, 2670.00±2, 2682.80±2, 2696.41±2, 2697.73±2, 2698.27±2, 2699.82±2, 3302.01±2, 3303.21±2, 3309.84±2, 3323.89±2, 3330.34±2, 3337.92±2, 3366.84±2, 3370.39±2, 3378.18±2, 3380.43±2 or 3384.77±2, wherein further comprising: confirming that the degree of abundance of any of the ALS-associated signal peptides having the following molecular weights out of the tested ALS-associated signal peptides in the bodily fluid from the test subject is low in comparison with the reference level: 1497.16±2, 1567.74±2, 1705.53±2, 1819.34±2, 1831.81±2, 1935.52±2, 2055.50±2, 2065.57±2, 2084.36±2, 2092.25±2, 2140.48±2, 2167.78±2, 2184.93±2, 2314.81±2, 2327.73±2, 2697.73±2 and 3309.84±2, wherein the presence or the absence or the degree of abundance of the ALS-associated signal peptide in the bodily fluid from the test subject is tested with a mass spectrometer, wherein further comprising: immobilizing the bodily fluid on a thermoplastic resin before the presence or the absence and the degree of abundance of the ALS-associated signal peptide in the bodily fluid is tested, and wherein the presence or the absence and the degree of abundance of the ALS-associated signal peptide in the bodily fluid immobilized on the thermoplastic resin is determined by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry.
 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein an amino acid sequence of the ALS-associated signal peptide is any of amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID Nos: 68, 69, 296, 357, 429, 903 to 905, 1223 to 1229, 1572 and
 1573. 9. The method according to claim 7, wherein at least the degree of abundance of an ALS-associated signal peptide with a molecular weight of 1502.40±2, 1521.93±2, 1629.15±2, 1682.54±2, 1691.75±2, 1705.53±2, 1821.71±2, 1836.18±2, 1948.39±2, 2011.18±2, 2092.80±2, 2099.42±2, 2177.51±2, 2179.25±2, 2186.28±2, 2211.58±2, 2226.96±2, 2254.83±2, 2278.67±2, 2290.85±2, 2292.35±2, 2502.64±2, 2640.51±2, 2698.27±2 or 3330.34±2 is tested.
 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein an amino acid sequence constituting the ALS-associated signal peptide is any of amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID Nos: 1 to
 180. 11. The method according to claim 7, wherein at least 10 kinds of ALS-associated signal peptides having molecular weights differing by at least 3 from each other are tested in the bodily fluid from the test subject.
 12. The method according to claim 7, wherein the bodily fluid is a cerebrospinal fluid. 